Noah Webster
Prevalence
PREV'ALENCE
PREV'ALENCY, noun 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.
1. Predominance; most general reception or practice; as the prevalence of vice, or of corrupt maxims; the prevalence of opinion or fashion.
2. Most general existence or extension; as, the prevalence of a disease.
3. Success; as the prevalence of prayer.