prevalentlyadv.
/ˈprɛv(ə)ləntli/, /ˈprɛvəln̩tli/, /ˈprɛvl̩(ə)ntli/, U.S. /ˈprɛv(ə)lən(t)li/ 1. Prevailingly, overpoweringly, victoriously; powerfully, effectively. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [adverb]
abovea1325
prevalently1633
1633 W. Prynne Histrio-mastix i. vi. iv. 385 If then obscene, adulterous Poems..have such an attractive..power in them to draw men on to actuall lewdnesse, much more must Stage-playes..be more prevalently powerfull.
1635 T. Jackson Humiliation Sonne of God 154 They..prevalently tempt them to cruelty and hatred towards this holy One.
1693 Vertue Rewarded 159 Marinda's own Love did take his part so much, and joyn so prevalently with her Cousin's Arguments.
1712 S. Cobb Callipædia 27 Venus still more prevalently bright, Breaks thro' the sullen Horror of his Light.
a1744 J. Fothergill Acct. Life & Trav. (1753) 29 Matter and Power to minister prevalently to others.
1800 W. Kingsbury Duty & Happiness of Attention to Sick & Poor 26 The indulged aim, the great end kept in view, by which the mind is prevalently governed, is that which determines the true nature of an action.
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia I. ii. vi. 115 They fought much and prevalently.
2. To a prevailing extent; predominantly; frequently, widely, generally, usually.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adverb] > for or in the most part
mosteOE
almostOE
mostwhata1200
generally1340
chiefly138.
mostc1390
chiefa1556
mostly1563
substantially1638
prevalently1709
feckly1768
mostlings1808
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adverb] > prevalently
rivedlyc1300
rifely1357
currently1579
widely1579
vulgarly1617
epidemically1641
endemically1661
prevalently1709
1709 H. Chandler Effort against Biggotry (ed. 2) 30 Censorious Persons (those that are habitually and prevalently so) do really want that Charity which is essential to Christianity.
1787 R. Campion Compar. Refl. Past & Present Polit. State Great Brit. 40 The cabal..prevalently keeps..some secretary about the person of the First Lord of the Treasury.
1869 F. W. Newman Misc. 202 Long steppes,..which..like our sheep-downs, were prevalently round and smooth.
1879 C. Rossetti Seek & Find 281 Silence and peace are and ought to be more prevalently characteristic of ordinary Christians.
1905 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Jrnl.-Gaz. 21 Jan. 10/1 The king of the nursery is now supposed to be born nervous, or at least he has this prevalently fashionable failing thrust upon him by his devoted mother.
1942 Limestone Democrat (Athens, Alabama) 18 June 2/2 It is just as hard for them [sc. Northerners]..to comprehend the term ‘you-all’ so prevalently used in the South where two or more persons are being referred to.
1992 N.Y. Times 19 Jan. ii. 28/2 Far more prevalently than Mozart's his personality was posthumously trivialized.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1633