Adjective

(en adjective)

Predominant; of greatest force.

The prevailing opinion was for additional planning time.

* '', reprinted in 1797, John Bell, ''Bell's British Theatre , Volume 33, page 37 (within play),

He has a humour more prevailing than his curiosity, and will willingly dispense with the hearing of one scandalous story, to avoid giving an occasion to make another, by being seen to walk with his wife.

* 1807 , , The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner , page 187,

and as merciful coun?els are mo?t prevailing when earne?tly pre??ed, ?o I got them to be of the ?ame opinion as to clemency.

* 1826 , , House of Commons Papers , Volume 17, page 411,

I have heard generally that alderman Archer has a more prevailing and powerful influence in the commons than any other alderman, and exercises that influence ;

Prevalent, common, widespread.

* 1829 , James Annesley, Sketches of the Most Prevalent Diseases of India , page 247,

Fever'' and ''dysentery are the most prevailing diseases in this division, more particularly the latter, which is one of the most destructive amongst the troops in India, and particularly so in the European constitution.

* 1832 , David Brewster, Spain'', entry in ''The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia , Volume 17, page 371,

One of the most prevailing defects in this people is their invincible indolence, and hatred of labour, which has, at all times, paralysed the government of their best princes, and impeded the success of their most brilliant enterprises.

* 1940 , Australian Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia No. 33 - 1940 , page 49,

In Sydney at 9 am, by far the most prevailing wind is a westerly, particularly during the colder two-thirds of the year.

Adjective

(er)

Untrue, not factual, factually incorrect.

*{{quote-book, year=1551, year_published=1888

, title= A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles: Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society , section=Part 1, publisher=Clarendon Press, location=Oxford, editor= , volume=1, page=217 , passage=Also the rule of false position, with dyuers examples not onely vulgar, but some appertaynyng to the rule of Algeber.}}

Based on factually incorrect premises: false legislation

Spurious, artificial.

:

*

*:At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy?; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.

(lb) Of a state in Boolean logic that indicates a negative result.

Uttering falsehood; dishonest or deceitful.

:

Not faithful or loyal, as to obligations, allegiance, vows, etc.; untrue; treacherous.

:

*(John Milton) (1608-1674)

*:I to myself was false , ere thou to me.

Not well founded; not firm or trustworthy; erroneous.

:

*(Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)

*:whose false foundation waves have swept away

Not essential or permanent, as parts of a structure which are temporary or supplemental.

(lb) Out of tune.