Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Preoccupy

Pre-oc′cu-py

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Preoccupied
(-pīd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Preoccupying
.]
[Cf. F.
préoccuper
. See
Preoccupate
,
Occupy
.]
1.
To take possession of before another;
as, to
preoccupy
a country not before held
.
2.
To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.
I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to
preoccupy
his judgment.
Arbuthnot.

Webster 1828 Edition


Preoccupy

PREOC'CUPY

,
Verb.
T.
[L. proeoccupo; proe, before, and occupo, to seize.]
1.
To take possession before another; as, to preoccupy a country or land not before occupied.
2.
To prepossess; to occupy by anticipation or prejudices.
I think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections, than to preoccupy his judgment.

Definition 2024


preoccupy

preoccupy

English

Verb

preoccupy (third-person singular simple present preoccupies, present participle preoccupying, simple past and past participle preoccupied)

  1. To distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.
    The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.

Translations