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was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards. Bacon. Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions. L'Estrange.

edominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.

; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. This was the most received and prevalent opinion. Woodward.

A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle. All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of…

with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general; separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a private purse; private expenses or interests; a private secretary.

obability of being right, or which is inculcated by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem to him still more probable.

One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church. "Professors of religion." Bacon.

To make declaration; to utter on opinion; to speak with confidence. [R.] Dr. H. More.

The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal in propagating one's opinions.

ew convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte. Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make one proselyte. Matt. xxiii. 15. Fresh confidence the sp…

ctice of proselyting; the making of converts to a religion or a religious sect, or to any opinion, system, or party. They were possessed of a spirit of proselytism in the most fanatical degree. Burke.

To convert to some religion, system, opinion, or the like; to bring, or cause to come, over; to proselyte. One of those whom they endeavor to proselytize. Burke.

Respect of persons; especially, a premature opinion or prejudice against a person, formed from his external appearance. [R.] Addison.

A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal objection against some act; especially, a formal and solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of lords in Parliament.

Not true in opinion or doctrine; false. -- n.

r view or notice; without concealment; openly; as, property publicly offered for sale; an opinion publicly avowed; a declaration publicly made.

, by the sense of feeling, the condition of the arterial pulse. (b) Hence, to sound one's opinion; to try to discover one's mind.

the punctilios of a public ceremony. They will not part with the least punctilio in their opinions and practices. Fuller .

cord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses. I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. Le…

To cite a passage from; to name as the authority for a statement or an opinion; as, to quote Shakespeare.