prev·a·lent /-lənt/
 (a.)普遍的,流行的


 Prev·a·lent a.
 1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious.
    Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that prevalent arms were as good as any title.   --Sir W. Raleigh.
 2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease.
    This was the most received and prevalent opinion.   --Woodward.
 Syn: -- Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful.
 Usage: -- Prevalent, Prevailing. What customarily prevails is prevalent; as, a prevalent fashion. What actually prevails is prevailing; as, the prevailing winds are west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it actually prevailing.

 ◄ ►


 prevalent
      adj : encountered generally especially at the present time; "the
            prevailing opinion was that a trade war could be
            averted"; "the most prevalent religion in our area";
            "speculation concerning the books author was rife"
            [syn: prevailing, rife]