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| pre·emp·tion [ pree émpshən ] (plural pre·emp·tions) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. action preventing something: action that makes it pointless or impossible for somebody else to do what he or she intended
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2. occupation of public land: the occupation of public land in order to have the right to buy it later, or the right to buy that is gained in this way
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3. option to buy property: an option to purchase property if and when it is put up for sale
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4. military strategy of first attack: the strategy of attacking an enemy in order to prevent that enemy from attacking first
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5. law exclusion of state action: the doctrine that prohibits a state from enacting laws in an area if the U.S. federal government has passed laws in that area
(
formal
)
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| [Early 17th century. < medieval Latin praeemption-< praeempt-, past participle of praeemere "buy first" < Latin emere "buy"] |
