'prevailing' originates from the Latin word 'praevalere', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'valere' meant 'to be strong'.

'praevalere' transformed into the Old French word 'prevaloir', and eventually became the modern English word 'prevail' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to be stronger or more powerful', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'existing at a particular time or having the most influence'.