preoccupy

pre·oc·cu·py

transitive verb \-ˌpī\

Definition of PREOCCUPY

1

: to engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or preferentially

2

: to take possession of or fill beforehand or before another

Examples of PREOCCUPY

1. The question of life after death has preoccupied many philosophers.

Origin of PREOCCUPY

Latin praeoccupare, literally, to seize in advance, from prae- + occupare to seize, occupy

First Known Use: 1567

Rhymes with PREOCCUPY

acetify, acidify, ammonify, aniline dye, a priori, beatify, bourgeoisify, commodify, complexify, decalcify, decertify, declassify, demystify, denazify, desanctify, desertify, detoxify, Dioscuri, disqualify, dissatisfy, diversify, electric eye, electrify, emulsify, esterify, exemplify, facetiae, Gorno-Altay, hang out to dry, Helvetii, humidify, identify, indemnify, intensify, money supply, objectify, personify, reliquiae, revivify, rigidify, sacrifice fly, saponify, see eye to eye, solemnify, solidify, syllabify, transmogrify, turn a blind eye, undersupply, vox populi, water supply