Pre-emption

prē-em′shun, n. act or right of purchasing before others.— v.t. Prē-empt′ ( U.S. ), to secure, as land, by the right of pre-emption.— adjs. Prē-empt′ible ; Prē-empt′ive .— n. Prē-empt′or . [L. præ , before, emptio , a buying— emĕre , to buy.]