Pre·pon·der·ate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preponderated p. pr. & vb. n. Preponderating.]
 1. To outweigh; to overpower by weight; to exceed in weight; to overbalance.
    An inconsiderable weight, by distance from the center of the balance, will preponderate greater magnitudes.   --Glanvill.
 2. To overpower by stronger or moral power.
 3. To cause to prefer; to incline; to decide. [Obs.]
    The desire to spare Christian blood preponderates him for peace.   --Fuller.


 preponderating
      adj : having superior power and influence; "the predominant mood
            among policy-makers is optimism" [syn: overriding, paramount,
             predominant, predominate, preponderant]