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dom·i·nate (dŏmə-nāt′)
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v. dom·i·nat·ed, dom·i·nat·ing, dom·i·nates
v.tr.
1. To control, govern, or rule by superior authority or power: Successful leaders dominate events rather than react to them.
2. To exert a supreme, guiding influence on or over: Ambition dominated their lives.
3.
a. To enjoy a commanding, controlling position in: a drug company that dominates the tranquilizer market.
b. To be the most abundant in: Grasses dominate most salt marshes.
4. To overlook from a height: a view from the cliffside chalet that dominates the valley.
v.intr.
1. To have or exert strong authority or mastery.
2. To be situated in or occupy a position that is more elevated or decidedly superior to others.
3. To be predominant in an ecosystem.
[Latin dominārī, domināt-, to rule, from dominus, lord; see dem- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
domi·na′tive adj.
domi·na′tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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