pre-empt

pre·empt or pre-empt  (pr-mpt)

v. pre·empt·ed or pre-empt·ed, pre·empt·ing or pre-empt·ing, pre·empts or pre-empts

v.tr.

1. To appropriate, seize, or take for oneself before others. See Synonyms at appropriate.

2.

a. To take the place of; displace: A special news program preempted the scheduled shows.

b. To have precedence or predominance over: Discussion of the water shortage will preempt the other topics on this week's agenda.

3. To gain possession of by prior right or opportunity, especially to settle on (public land) so as to obtain the right to buy before others.

v.intr. Games

To make a preemptive bid in bridge.

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[Back-formation from preemption.]

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pre·emptor (-mptôr) n.

pre·empto·ry (-mpt-r) adj.

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pre-empt

Verb

to prevent an action by doing something which makes it pointless or impossible: he pre-empted his expulsion from the party by resigning

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pre-empt - a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding preempt, preemptive bid bidding, bid - (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make

Translations

pre-empt [priːˈɛmt] vt (BRIT) → adelantarse a

pre-empt [priːˈɛmt] vt (Brit) → acquérir par droit de préemption (fig); anticiper sur;

to pre-empt the issue → conclure avant même d'ouvrir les débats

pre-empt [priːˈɛmt] vt → zuvorkommen +dat

pre-empt [prɪˈɛmpt] vt → acquistare per diritto di prelazione;

(fig) → anticipare