Prevalence
['prev(ə)l(ə)ns;'prevəl(ə)ns;'prevələns] or ['prɛvə
Definition
(noun.) the quality of prevailing generally; being widespread; 'he was surprised by the prevalence of optimism about the future'.
(noun.) (epidemiology) the ratio (for a given time period) of the number of occurrences of a disease or event to the number of units at risk in the population.
Typist: Wanda--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.
Edited by Babbage
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Superiority, success, predominance, preponderance, prosperity.[2]. Influence, efficacy, power, force, strength.[3]. Universality, wide extension, general reception.
Checker: Melva
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Custom, power, influence, operation, extension, predominance, superiority,influence, efficacy, preponderance
ANT:Disuse, desuetude, obsoleteness, decay, evanescence, disappearance, mitigation,subordination, collapse, abandonment, abolition, diminution, subsidence,subjection
Editor: Orville
Examples
- The universal prevalence of Slavonic languages, except in Hungary, shows that the population remained predominantly Slav. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- They are blended, said he, I acknowledge; and, were she prosperous, I could allow much for the occasional prevalence of the ridiculous over the good. Jane Austen. Emma.
- The Babylonian records of med icine like those of astronomy reveal the prevalence of many superstitious beliefs. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
Checked by John