preponderancyn.
/prᵻˈpɒnd(ə)rənsi/, /prᵻˈpɒnd(ə)rn̩si/, U.S. /prəˈpɑnd(ə)rənsi/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > weight or relative heaviness > [noun] > property of being heavy > greater heaviness
preponderancy1646
preponderation1650
preponderance1681
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. vii. 196 Whereas men affirme they perceave an addition of ponderosity in dead bodies,..this accessionall preponderancy is rather in appearance then reality. View more context for this quotation
1692 J. Ray Misc. Disc. v. 71 By reason of the Preponderancy of the Earth.
1772 C. Hutton Princ. Bridges 58 The pointed projections..will be a sufficient addition to the pier, to give it the necessary preponderancy.
1802 Edinb. Rev. 1 200 The permanent restoration of the balance of trade to its accustomed preponderancy in our favour.
1804 M. Lewis in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1986) 222 When grown the base obtains a preponderancy.
2. Superiority in power, influence, or importance; an instance of this; predominance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > predominance or preponderance > [noun]
predominy?a1475
weight1569
predomination1592
predominance1595
predominancy1598
ascendant1607
predominion1607
prepotency1623
overweight1626
overbearance1639
preponderation1650
prepollency1663
preponderancy1689
the transcendent1691
overpoise1697
preponderance1704
prepollence1730
1689 W. Popple tr. J. Locke Let. conc. Toleration 22 If..all Magistrates saw the Preponderancy of the Grounds of Belief, which are on the Side of the true Religion.
1777 J. Priestley Doctr. Philos. Necessity iv. 40 The final preponderancy of desire is called a will, or wish to obtain it.
1794 Times 30 Dec. 2/3 Great Britain, whose great political preponderancy entitles her to a decisive vote in the Councils of Europe.
1828 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I I. v. 104 Coalition of interests..were to strike at the preponderancy of Imperial Austria.
1898 Harper's Mag. June 143/1 Her political ascendancy was as undisputed as her commercial preponderancy.
1920 Times 31 May 19/2 In the autumn of 1897 the occupation of Kiao-chao by the Germans gave the signal for the long and acute struggle for political preponderancy in the North of China.
1947 Ecol. Monogr. 17 379/1 Full moon and new moon spring tide differ considerably in amplitude, thus causing a strong preponderancy of the one over the other.
2002 Africa News (Nexis) 20 Oct. It should not be forgotten that hatred for Kanu, especially President Moi's overwhelming preponderancy, is the super glue that holds the disparate voices in the opposition together.
3. Superiority in number or amount, a majority; prevalence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > condition of being more than another > superiority in amount or quantity
domination1526
eminency1608
preponderance1787
preponderancy1829
1829 Times 27 June 2/3 The revival of an independent Greek empire may one day, with the assent of a preponderancy of European nations, supersede the Crescent.
1845 A. Duncan Disc. 159 The evident preponderancy of good, however unable they might be to explain the origin of evil, testified against them.
1943 Slavonic & East European Rev. 2 7 In the first cluster of births..the poets were represented in greater number than the composers, in the second cluster—that of the 1830's and 1840's—the composers showed a decided preponderancy.
1989 Marketing (Nexis) 12 Jan. The preponderancy of dogs in advertising is often thought to reflect well in ‘aah factor’ measures of advertising recall.
1995 Evening Standard (Nexis) 2 Oct. 9 Last week's Mori poll did indeed show a sharp reduction in Labour's preponderancy over the Tories.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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