online medical dictionary | definition of preponderate

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)

See: ponder.

Origin: L. Praeponderatus, p. P. Of praeponderare; prae = before + ponderare to weigh, fr, pondus, ponderis, a weight.

(05 Mar 1998)