Dictionary entry

Preponderate

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pre‐pon″der‐ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Preponderated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Preponderating.] [L. praeponderatus, p. p. of praeponderare; prae before + ponderare to weigh, fr., pondus, ponderis, a weight. See Ponder.] 1. To outweigh; to overpower by weight; to exceed in weight; to overbalance.

An inconsiderable weight, by distance from the center of the balance, will preponderate greater magnitudes. Glanvill.

2. To overpower by stronger or moral power.

3. To cause to prefer; to incline; to decide.

The desire to spare Christian blood preponderates him for peace. Fuller.