preoccupied etymology

Etymology:

  • Prefix: "pre-" (before)
  • Root: "occupy" (to hold or possess)

Meaning:

  • Occupied or engrossed in thought or feeling to the exclusion of other concerns.

Origin:

The term "preoccupied" emerged in the early 16th century from the Middle English phrase "preoccupate of thought." It was originally used in a legal context to describe a situation where someone's mind was so preoccupied with something that they were unable to attend to other matters.

Over time, the meaning of "preoccupied" expanded to include any situation where one's thoughts or feelings were so dominant as to prevent them from fully engaging with the present moment or attending to other tasks.

Additional Notes:

  • The term "preoccupied" can have both positive and negative connotations. It can indicate a state of deep contemplation or absorption in an activity, or it can refer to excessive worry or distraction.
  • The word "preoccupation" is a noun that refers to the state of being preoccupied.
  • Synonyms for "preoccupied" include: absorbed, engrossed, preoccupied, preoccupied, distracted, and distracted.

preoccupied relate terms

  • preoccupy

    Etymology pre prefix Before occupy verb To take up space or control Meaning

  • occupy

    Etymology The word occupy comes from the Latin word occupare which means to take po

  • preoccupied

    Etymology Prefix pre before Root occupy to hold or possess Meaning Occu

  • lost

    Etymology The word lost is derived from the Old English word losian which means to

  • self conscious

    Etymology Self from Old English self meaning one s own being or person Conscious fr

  • overtake

    Etymology Middle English overtaken from Old English ofer tācan to catch up with ov

  • slot

    Etymology The word slot originated from the Old Norse word slátr meaning a bar or

  • haunt

    Etymology The word haunt comes from the Old French word hanter meaning to frequent

  • assume

    Etymology refers to the history and origin of words including their roots derivations a

  • seize

    Etymology The word seize originated from the Middle English word seisen which in tur

  • arrogate

    Etymology From Middle English arrogaten from Old French aro g uer from Late Latin arr

  • obsess

    Etymology Latin ob sessum Meaning To be preoccupied with or fixated upon a parti