from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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]