dom´i|nant|ly

dom|i|nant «DOM uh nuhnt», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. most powerful or influential; controlling; ruling; governing: »

The British were formerly dominant in India. The President was the dominant figure at the cabinet meeting. Football is the dominant sport in the fall.

2. rising high above its surroundings; occupying a commanding position: »

A dominant cliff rose at the bend of the river.

3. Music. based on or having to do with the fifth note of a scale.

4. Biology. of or designating a dominant character: »

The character or trait of roundness is dominant over wrinkledness (Beals and Hoijer).

–n.

1. Music. the fifth note of a scale. G is the dominant in the key of C.

2. Biology. a) a dominant character or gene. b) an individual possessing or transmitting a dominant character.

3. Botany. the most extensive and characteristic species in a plant community, determining the type and abundance of other species in the community.

╂[< Old French dominant, learned borrowing from Latin domināns, -antis, present participle of dominārī. See etym. under dominate. (Cf. ↑dominate)]

–dom´i|nant|ly, adverb.

Synonym Study adjective. 1 Dominant, predominant, paramount mean uppermost. Dominant means ruling, and therefore having the most influence, power, or authority: »

Efficiency is the dominant idea in many businesses.

Predominant means before others in influence, power, or authority, and therefore principal or superior: »

Love of liberty is predominant in struggles for independence.

Paramount means first in importance, authority, or rank, and therefore supreme: »

It is of paramount importance that we finish the work on time.