PREOC'CUPY, verb transitive [Latin proeoccupo; proe, before, and occupo, to seize.]

1. To take possession before another; as, to preoccupy a country or land not before occupied.

2. To prepossess; to occupy by anticipation or prejudices.

I think it more respectful to the reader to leave something to reflections, than to preoccupy his judgment.