Preoccupy /(?)/

Pre·oc·cu·py

Preoccupy

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Preoccupied; p. pr. & vb. n. Preoccupying

  1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a country not before held.
  2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.
    I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections than to preoccupy his judgment.