Preoccupying

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Preoccupy \Pre*oc"cu*py\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preoccupied}
     (-p[imac]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Preoccupying}.] [Cf. F.
     pr['e]occuper. See {Preoccupate}, {Occupy}.]
     1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a
        country not before held.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention
        of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave
              something to reflections than to preoccupy his
              judgment.                             --Arbuthnot.
        [1913 Webster]