Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Preoccupy
Pre-oc′cu-py
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Preoccupied
(-pīd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Preoccupying
.] 1.
To take possession of before another;
as, to
. preoccupy
a country not before held2.
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.
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.