preoccupancy
(priːˈɒkjʊpənsɪ)
[f. pre- A. 2 + occupancy; cf. preoccupy.]
1. The fact of occupying previously; previous or earlier occupancy; = preoccupation 3.
| 1755 Johnson, Preoccupancy, the act of taking possession before another. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 632 The Indians had an undisputed title to the..territory, either from pre⁓occupancy or conquest. 1832 Lyell Princ. Geol. II. 167 That powerful barrier against emigration [of plants]—pre-occupancy. |
2. The state of being preoccupied or engaged.
| 1893 Argosy Sept. 202 An endless restless preoccupancy vaguely followed by fear of satiety. 1898 Daily News 22 Jan. 2/6 He..declined repeated offers of a seat in Parliament..on the ground of his preoccupancy in the administration of Owens College. |