| 释义 |
preoccupation|priːɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən|
[ad. L. præoccupātiōn-em, n. of action from præoccupāre: see prec. So F. préoccupation (15th c. in Godef. Compl.).]
The action of preoccupying.
†1. The meeting of objections beforehand. In Rhet. A figure of speech in which objections are anticipated and prevented; anticipation, prolepsis.
(In quots. 1538 and thence in 1552, erroneously explained as = paralipsis, app. by confusing this with prolepsis.)
[1538Elyot, Pręoccupatio, a fygure in Rhetorike, whan we will saye that we will not tell a thinge, and yet therby couertly we wil declare the matter, or make it suspected. 1552Huloet, Preoccupation..is also a certayne fygure in rethorycke, or a darke speakynge, as when we wyll saye, I wyll not tell all (etc.).] 1584R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. ii. viii. (1886) 23 They prevent us with a figure..prolepsis or præoccupation. 1611W. Sclater Key (1629) 340 The words haue in them a preoccupation, of what might be obiected against the former Doctrine. 1683E. Hooker Pref. Pordage's Mystic Div. 64 By waie..of obviation, prævention, præoccupation and anticipation.
2. Prepossession of the mind which gives it a certain disposition or tendency; bias; prejudice.
1603Florio Montaigne ii. xii. (1632) 247 These [Atheists] have some preoccupation of judgements that makes their taste wallowish and tastlesse. 1613Sherley Trav. Persia 135 Let not your desires of promoving this great..businesse, blind you from foreseeing all sorts of preoccupations, which..you..may perchance find greater. 1696Locke Lett. (1708) 156 'Tis your preoccupation in favour of me, that makes you say what you do. 1875E. White Life in Christ iv. xxiv. (1878) 346 Starting as we believe without pre-occupation.
3. Actual occupation (of a place) beforehand.
1658Phillips, Præoccupation, a possessing before hand. 1706Ibid. (ed. Kersey) s.v., That Land was in his Preoccupation. 1859Darwin Orig. Spec. xiii. (1873) 357 Preoccupation has probably played an important part in checking the commingling of the species.
4. Occupation that takes precedence of all other; ‘first business’.
1873Symonds Grk. Poets vi. 166 The first preoccupation of every Greek who visited Olympia, was to see the statue of Zeus. 1883Manch. Guard. 13 Oct. 7/2 The fixed preoccupation of our agents on the spot..is to maintain the peace. 1885Pall Mall G. 27 June 4/1 Marrying and giving in marriage is now and always has been the great preoccupation of man and womankind.
5. The condition of being preoccupied; mental absorption or engrossment.
1854Milman Lat. Chr. viii. i. III. 264 The preoccupation of men's minds with this absorbing subject. 1866Geo. Eliot F. Holt xiv, The stamp of gravity and intellectual preoccupation in his face and bearing. |