preoccupy
UK: /priːˈɒkjʊpaɪ/ | US: /priːˈɑːkjʊpaɪ/
vt. to dominate or engross the mind of someone to the exclusion of other thoughts
vt. to take possession of or settle in a place before others
preoccupy = pre<before> + occupy<take control>
- pre: From Latin prae-, meaning "before" (temporal or spatial priority).
- occupy: From Latin occupare ("to seize, possess"), combining ob- (intensive) + capere ("to take").
Etymology Origin:
The word emerged in Late Middle English (15th century) via Old French preoccuper, directly reflecting its Latin roots. "Pre-" signals priority (e.g., acting before others), while "-occupy" retains its original sense of seizing control—whether mentally (absorbing attention) or physically (claiming territory). The dual meaning mirrors Latin occupare, which applied to both physical possession and mental engagement.
Financial worries began to preoccupy her as the deadline approached.
The army sought to preoccupy strategic positions before the enemy arrived.
His research findings preoccupied scientists for decades.
Social media often preoccupies teenagers' attention.
The explorer hoped to preoccupy uncharted lands for his nation.