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Preempt

//ˌpɹiːˈɛmpt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A preemptive bid.
  2. 2
    a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To appropriate first. transitive

    "He preempted that hill to be its king."

  2. 2
    make a preemptive bid in the game of bridge wordnet
  3. 3
    To displace or take the place of (by having higher precedence, etc). transitive

    "Floppy disks were preempted by CDs."

  4. 4
    acquire for oneself before others can do so wordnet
  5. 5
    To prevent or beat to the punch, to forestall an expected occurrence by acting first. transitive

    "By his statement, the Secretary-General had effectively preempted the usual frustrating debates over questions of fact and law."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land) wordnet
  2. 7
    To secure (land, etc.) by the right of preemption (purchasing before others, e.g. land because one already occupies it). transitive
  3. 8
    take the place of or have precedence over wordnet
  4. 9
    To make a preemptive bid at bridge. intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

Back-formation from preemption.

Etymology 2

Back-formation from preemption.

See also for "preempt"

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