— preemptible , adj. — preemptor /pree emp"tawr, -teuhr/ , n. — preemptory /pree emp"teuh ree/ , adj.
/pree empt"/ , v.t.
1. to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
2. to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate: a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
3. to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.; supplant: The special newscast preempted the usual television program.
v.i.
4. Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.
5. to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off: an effort to preempt inflation.
n.
6. Bridge. a preemptive bid.
Also, pre-empt .
[ 1840-50, Amer.; back formation from PREEMPTION ]
Syn. 1. claim, appropriate, usurp.