Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-DOM'IN-ATE, v.i. [Fr. predominer; Sp. predominar; It. predominare; L. præ, before, and dominor, to rule, from dominus, lord.]

To prevail; to surpass in strength, influence or authority; to be superior; to have controlling influence. In some persons, the love of money predominates over all other passions; in others, ambition or the love of fame predominates; in most men, self-interest predominates over patriotism and philanthropy. So much did love t' her executed lord / Predominate in this fair lady's heart. – Daniel. The rays reflected least obliquely may predominate over the rest. – Newton.