Preoccupy
Pronunciation : Pre*oc"cu*py
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [Cf. F. pr?occuper. See Preoccupate, Occupy.]
Definition : 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.
t. [imp. & p. p. Preoccupied (-pid); p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913