preoccupy etymology

Etymology:

  • pre- (prefix): Before
  • occupy (verb): To take up space or control

Meaning:

Preoccupy means to engage someone's thoughts or attention to the point of distraction or obsession. It can also mean to fill or take up space.

Origin:

The word "preoccupy" entered the English language in the 15th century from the Anglo-French "preoccuper," which is derived from the Latin "praeoccupare." "Praeoccupare" is formed from the prefix "prae-" (before) and "occupare" (to take hold of).

The original meaning of "preoccupy" in English was "to take possession of beforehand," but it later developed its more abstract sense of "to engage someone's thoughts or attention."

preoccupy relate terms

  • occupy

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

  • occupied

    Etymology The word occupied is derived from two Latin roots occupāre meaning to

  • preoccupied

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

  • preoccupy

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

  • prae

    Etymology Prae is a Latin preposition meaning before or in front of It is derived

  • overtake

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

  • seize

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

  • 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

  • obsess

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

  • ghost

    Etymology Old English gāst ultimately derived from Proto Germanic gaistaz Cognate wi

  • control

    Etymology Latin controllus meaning check restraint French contrôle English

  • arrogate

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

  • command

    Etymology The word command comes from the Old French word commander which is derive