Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PREV'A-LENCE, or PREV'A-LEN-CY, n.

1. Superior strength, influence or efficacy; most efficacious force in producing an effect. The duke better knew what kind of arguments were of prevalence with him. – Clarendon.
2. Predominance; most general reception or practice; as, the prevalence of vice, or of corrupt maxims; the prevalence of opinion or fashion.
3. Most general existence or extension; as, the prevalence of a disease.
4. Success; as, the prevalence of prayer.