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Definition of preemptor - 3 dictionary results

pre⋅empt

  [pree-empt]
Use preemptor in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to occupy (land) in order to establish a prior right to buy.
2. to acquire or appropriate before someone else; take for oneself; arrogate: a political issue preempted by the opposition party.
3. to take the place of because of priorities, reconsideration, rescheduling, etc.; supplant: The special newscast preempted the usual television program.
–verb (used without object)
4. Bridge. to make a preemptive bid.
5. to forestall or prevent (something anticipated) by acting first; preclude; head off: an effort to preempt inflation.
–noun
6. Bridge. a preemptive bid.
Also, pre-empt.

Origin:
1840–50, Americanism; back formation from preemption

Related forms:
pre⋅emp⋅ti⋅ble, adjective
pre⋅emp⋅tor  [pree-emp-tawr, -ter] , noun
pre⋅emp⋅to⋅ry  [pree-emp-tuh-ree] , adjective

Synonyms:
1. claim, appropriate, usurp.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To preemptor
pre·empt or pre-empt   (prē-ěmpt')   
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.

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

    2. 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.

[Back-formation from preemption.]
pre·emp'tor' (-ěmp'tôr') n., pre·emp'to·ry (-ěmp'tə-rē) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pre·empt
Pronunciation: prE-'empt
Function: transitive verb
1 a : to acquire (land) by preemption b : to seize upon to the exclusion of others : take for oneself preempt use of the mark in remote geographical markets —Mesa Springs Enterprises v. Cutco Indus., 736 Pacific Reporter, Second Series 1251 (1986)>
2 a : to replace or supersede (a law) by preemption preempted by the federal Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 —National Law Journal> b : to preclude or bar (an action) by preemption preempt claims under state contract law —National Law Journal>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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