Category:Preoccupy

Pre*oc"cu*py, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-pid); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying.] Etym: [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.