prae-vălĕo, ŭi, 2, v. n.I. In gen., to be very or more able, to have distinguished power or influence; to have greater power or worth; to be superior or distinguished, have the superiority, prevail (not ante-Aug.; cf.: praesto, excello, praecedo): virtute semper praevalet sapientia,
, Tac. H. 2, 65: tuum erit consultare, utrum praevaleat, quod ex Arminio concepit, an quod ex me genita est,
which should have more weight
, id. A. 1, 58; Dig. 1, 5, 10.— With inf.: praevaluit ire, Vulg. 1 Par. 21, 30.—With contra, Vulg. Gen. 32, 28.—With dat. (late Lat.): quae (mala) etiam praevalent bonis, Lact. Epit. 68, 21: portis inferi et mortis legibus praevalere, Leo M. p. 51, 1 fin.—II. In partic., of medicines, to be of great virtue or efficacy: trifolium praevalet contra serpentium ictus, Plin. 21, 21, 88, 152: lac praevalet ad vitia in facie sananda, id. 28, 7, 21, 75.—B. In law, to be settled, established, Just. Inst. 1, 6, 3.— Hence, praevălens, entis, P. a., very strong, very powerful: populus, Liv. praef.: praevalens corpore, Vell. 2, 108, 2; Plin. 5, 24, 20, 84.