[pre.empt] vb [back-formation fr. preemption] vt (1850) 1: to acquire (as land) by preemption
2: to seize upon to the exclusion of others: take for oneself "the movement was then ~ed by a lunatic fringe"
3: to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority: take precedence over "the program did not appear, having been ~ed by a baseball game --Robert MacNeil"
4: to gain a commanding or preeminent place in
5: to prevent from happening or taking place: forestall, preclude ~ vi: to make a preemptive bid in bridge -- pre.emp.tor n