资料来源 : pyDict

普遍的,流行的

资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prevalent \Prev"a*lent\, a. [L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of
   praevalere. See {Prevail}.]
   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.

资料来源 : WordNet®

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}]