preponderance
Definitions
The fact of being greater in number, amount or importance; the majority or larger part
（数量、程度或重要性上的）优势；多数，大部分
Superiority in weight, power or influence
（分量、力量或影响上的）压倒性优势，主导地位
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpre- (before, ahead) + ponder (weigh) + -ance (noun) = 'the state of weighing more.' On a balance, the heavier pan comes down first — it out-weighs the other. From 'the heavier side' the word came to mean 'the greater part, the majority.' A preponderance of votes is simply the side the scale tips toward.
Root pond still carries 7 more wordsUsage Guide
- preponderance of the evidence: a fixed legal phrase — the standard of proof in civil (not criminal) cases, meaning 'more likely than not'
- preponderance of + plural/uncountable noun: a preponderance of women, a preponderance of evidence
Register: formal/academic. In casual speech 'most' or 'the majority' is more natural.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The jury ruled against him based on a preponderance of the evidence.
- 2.
There is a preponderance of young people in the city's population.
- 3.
The preponderance of opinion favored postponing the launch.
- 4.
A preponderance of evidence now links the two events.