Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Of no force; unavailing; vain.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • So, what we end up at is a determina that Hamlet should "throw to earth/This unprevailing woe," that he should abjure his own grief.

    Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

  • So, what we end up at is a determina that Hamlet should "throw to earth/This unprevailing woe," that he should abjure his own grief.

    Archive 2010-01-01 Hal Duncan 2010

  • And false light would seem unprevailing, since the disclosure of the information would likely not show the persons photographed in a false light.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Privacy Law and Ethics Questions: 2007

  • Upon the shattered standards of Austria he would confer the meed of merited applause for heroic, although unprevailing bravery.

    The Stranger in France or, a Tour from Devonshire to Paris Illustrated by Engravings in Aqua Tint of Sketches Taken on the Spot. John Carr 1802

  • With regard to what is commonly meant by intemperate discussion, namely, invective, sarcasm, personality, and the like, the denunciation of these weapons would deserve more sympathy if it were ever proposed to interdict them equally to both sides; but it is only desired to restrain the employment of them against the prevailing opinion: against the unprevailing they may not only be used without general disapproval, but will be likely to obtain for him who uses them the praise of honest zeal and righteous indignation.

    On Liberty 2002

  • With regard to what is commonly meant by intemperate discussion, namely, invective, sarcasm, personality, and the like, the denunciation of these weapons would deserve more sympathy if it were ever proposed to interdict them equally to both sides; but it is only desired to restrain the employment of them against the prevailing opinion: against the unprevailing they may not only be used without general disapproval, but will be likely to obtain for him who uses them the praise of honest zeal and righteous indignation.

    Chapter II. Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion 1909

  • With regard to what is commonly meant by intemperate discussion, namely invective, sarcasm, personality, and the like, the denunciation of these weapons would deserve more sympathy if it were ever proposed to interdict them equally to both sides; but it is only desired to restrain the employment of them against the prevailing opinion: against the unprevailing they may not only be used without general disapproval, but will be likely to obtain for him who uses them the praise of honest zeal and righteous indignation.

    II. Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion 1869

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