preoccupy

present singular third person preoccupies · participle present preoccupying · participle past preoccupied · past preoccupied

1. transitiveTo distract; to draw attention elsewhere.First known use 16th c.

   The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.

   1 more example

   Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.

   1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Passed to you, Mr. Macmillan”, in Modern Railways, page 220

2. transitiveTo worry or concern (someone) so as to distract them.

   It always preoccupies me when he acts like this.

   Synonyms: exercise

3. obsoletetransitiveTo occupy or take possession of beforehand.First known use 16th–19th c.

   Terrified at this uproar, […] she ran for shelter into the place which was pre-occupied by the other lady […].

   1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC