n.
Pronunciation: - ' em(p)-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin praeemption-, praeemptio previous purchase, from praeemere to buy before, from Latin prae- pre- + emere to buy ― more at REDEEM
Date: 1602
1 a : the right of purchasing before others especially : one given by the government to the actual settler upon a tract of public land b : the purchase of something under this right
2 : a prior seizure or appropriation : a taking possession before others