to preoccupy
verbformal/ɐ̃.ti.ɔ.ku.ˈpaɾ/rare
an·te·o·cu·par
Definition
To occupy or worry in advance; to seize someone's attention or thoughts ahead of time. (Very rare term)
(Rare) We should not preoccupy ourselves with hypothetical disasters.
(Rare) The thought of the meeting began to preoccupy him days in advance.
Common collocations
to preoccupyto occupy beforehand
Etymology
Do latim *ante-* (antes) + *occupare* (ocupar, apoderar-se de).