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occupy

[ok-yuh-pahy]

Example Sentences Origin

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verb (used with object)

to take or fill up (space, time, etc.): I occupied my evenings reading novels.

to engage or employ the mind, energy, or attention of: Occupy the children with a game while I prepare dinner.

to be a resident or tenant of; dwell in: We occupied the same house for 20 years.

to take possession and control of (a place), as by military invasion.

to hold (a position, office, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to take or hold possession.

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Occupy is one of our favorite verbs.

So is lollygag. Does it mean:

to spend time idly; loaf.

to bark; yelp.

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Origin:
1300–50; Middle English occupien < Middle French occuper < Latin occupāre to seize, take hold, take up, make one's own, equivalent to oc- oc- + -cup-, combining form of capere to take, seize + -āre infinitive suffix

Related forms

oc·cu·pi·a·ble, adjective

oc·cu·pi·er, noun

mis·oc·cu·py, verb, -pied, -py·ing.

o·ver·oc·cu·pied, adjective

re·oc·cu·py, verb (used with object), -pied, -py·ing.

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self-oc·cu·pied, adjective

un·der·oc·cu·pied, adjective

well-oc·cu·pied, adjective

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Synonyms
1, 2, 4, 5. See have. 2. use, busy. 4. capture, seize.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To occupy

Example Sentences

The protesters can occupy world's financial markets.

These animals now occupy by force, stealth, and sheer numbers.

People who find reasons to occupy their time with activity may be happier.

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The protesters can occupy world's financial markets.

These animals now occupy by force, stealth, and sheer numbers.

People who find reasons to occupy their time with activity may be happier.

He had risen from humble beginnings to occupy naval positions of immense power.

Toe-to-toe twin-size mattresses occupy a long bunk built above a large duct at one end of the craft room.

Figuring out the different reasons that mates cheat will no doubt occupy scientists for years to come.

The story of where modern humans came from has never been cut-and-dried, but two theories occupy the forefront of the debate.

Economic and cultural djustments will occupy the country for the next two decades.

Jurors also appreciated that the buildings have strong visual impact yet occupy a minimal footprint on the land.

Currently spacecraft remains occupy only a small portion of the moon's surface, he said.

Four occupy the corners, and two are buffer states that zigzag across the island.

They even occupy the same ecological niche in asia about a hundred years ago.

Tucson's mountains could occupy a lifetime's exploration, but the ambitious can squeeze several peaks and canyons into a day.

Forests frequently interrupted by open areas occupy the lower half of the valley.

Matter in motion would occupy each moment in time infinitely if it were not for the force of black holes.

Without question, people had a lot fewer diversions to occupy their time.

They now live in a world where humans occupy much of their native habitat.

We fail to acknowledge the accomplishments of the other mammels that occupy this world with.

To occupy his time, he had to veer off the straight and narrow.

The second move simply switches the pairs of numbers that occupy circles having the same color.

They will also frequently occupy abandoned woodpecker holes.

World traders occupy gleaming new hotels that modernize the colonial capital.

They occupy each other, play with each other and rest together.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

occupy (ˈɒkjʊˌpaɪ)

—vb , -pies, -pying, -pied
1.	to live or be established in (a house, flat, office, etc)
2.	(often passive) to keep (a person) busy or engrossed; engage the attention of
3.	(often passive) to take up (a certain amount of time or space)
4.	to take and hold possession of, esp as a demonstration: students occupied the college buildings
5.	to fill or hold (a position or rank)

[C14: from Old French occuper, from Latin occupāre to seize hold of, from ob- (intensive) + capere to take]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

occupy

c.1340, "to take possession of," also "to take up space or time, employ (someone)," from O.Fr. occuper, from L. occupare "take over, seize, possess, occupy," from ob "over" + intensive form of capere "to grasp, seize" (see capable). During 16c.-17c. a euphemism for "have

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sexual intercourse with," which caused it to fall from polite usage.

"A captaine? Gods light these villaines wil make the word as odious as the word occupy, which was an excellent good worde before it was il sorted." [Doll Tearsheet in "2 Henry IV"]

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Matching Quote

"There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the LORD is sure to bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as a possession to occupy, if only you will obey the LORD your God by diligently observing this entire commandment that I command you today."

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