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]