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Preoccupate vs Preoccupy - What's the difference?

preoccupate | preoccupy |

As verbs the difference between preoccupate and preoccupy

is that preoccupate is (obsolete) to influence, to occupy (the mind) in advance; to be preoccupied with while preoccupy is to distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.

preoccupate

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Verb

(preoccupat)
  • (obsolete) To influence, to occupy (the mind) in advance; to be preoccupied with.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.40:
    • the mad and fond curiositie of our nature, ammusing it selfe to preoccupate future things, as if it had not enough to doe to digest the present.
  • (obsolete) To meet in advance; to forestall, pre-empt.
    • ----

    preoccupy

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To distract; to occupy or draw attention elsewhere.
    • The father tried to preoccupy the child with his keys.