Prevailing, a.
1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive. Shak. Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers. Rowe.
2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.
Syn. See Prevalent.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for prevailing; he lists it under usual.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.