3. Affectedly nice; foppish; — used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world.
Spectator. 4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; — used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
5. Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant. [Scot.]
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome.
Sir W. Scott. Syn. — Elegant; neat; fine. See Handsome.
Pretty
(Pret"ty) adv. In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; — less emphatic than very; as,
I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.
Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
Atterbury. Prettyish
(Pret"ty*ish), a. Somewhat pretty. Walpole.
Prettyism
(Pret"ty*ism) n. Affectation of a pretty style, manner, etc. [R.] Ed. Rev.
Pretty-spoken
(Pret"ty-spo`ken) a. Spoken or speaking prettily. [Colloq.]
Pretypify
(Pre*typ"i*fy) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pretypified ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pretypifying.] To prefigure; to
exhibit previously in a type. Bp. Pearson.
Pretzel
(Pret"zel) n. [G. pretzel, bretzel. Cf. Bretzel.] A kind of German biscuit or cake in the form
of a twisted ring, salted on the outside.
Prevail
(Pre*vail") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prevailed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Prevailing.] [F. prévaloir, OF. prevaleir,
L. praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or worth. See Valiant.]
1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the
mastery; to succeed; — sometimes with over or against.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Ex. xvii. 11.
So David prevailed over the Philistine.
1 Sam. xvii. 50.
This kingdom could never prevail against the united power of England.
Swift. 2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to
obtain; as, the practice prevails this day.
This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the warier skeptics, as far as it prevails.
Locke. 3. To persuade or induce; — with on, upon, or with; as, I prevailedon him to wait.
He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
Clarendon.
Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
Swift.
