preempt
Noun · VerbUS[pree-empt]/ˈpriˌɛmpt/2 syllables
Open English WordNet
Verb (4)preempted, preempting
- acquire for oneself before others can do soMore general get, acquire
- take the place of or have precedence over“live broadcast of the presidential debate preempts the regular news hour”“discussion of the emergency situation will preempt the lecture by the professor”Synonyms: displaceMore general supplant, replace
- gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially so as to obtain the right to buy (land)More general get, acquire
- make a preemptive bid in the game of bridgeMore general bid, call
Noun (1)
- a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from biddingSynonyms: preemptive bidpre-emptType of bid, bidding
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haphazardadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Pre·ëmpt′ (prē-ĕmt′; 215), transitive & intransitive verb [past tense & past participle Preëmpted; present participle & verbal noun Preëmpting.]
Origin: See Preëmption.
1. To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as under the laws of the United States; to take by preemption. [Also spelled pre-empt.] [ + ]
2. To acquire or take for oneself first (an object or right), thereby preventing others from acquiring; to appropriate; to arrogate.
3. To supplant or take the place of (an action), due to changes in circumstances or priorities; as, the regular meeting was preempted by an emergency conference.
4. To prevent or delay (an event) by acting beforehand; to head off; to preclude.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors, WordNet 1.5