pre-emptive
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pre-emptive — pre emp|tive preemptive [priˈemptıv] adj a pre emptive action is done to prevent something from happening, especially something that will harm you pre emptive strike/attack ▪ a series of pre emptive strikes on guerilla bases … Dictionary of contemporary English
pre-emptive — UK US (also preemptive) adjective ► done before someone else can act, especially to prevent them doing what they had planned: pre emptive action/measure/move »The Treasury decided to raise interest rates as a pre emptive measure against inflation … Financial and business terms
pre-emptive — (adj.) also preemptive, 1855, pertaining to preemption; from PRE EMPT (Cf. pre empt) + IVE (Cf. ive). Specifically of an attack on an enemy who is plotting his own attack, from 1959, a term from the Cold War. Related: Pre emptively; preemptively … Etymology dictionary
pre-emptive — pre empt ► VERB 1) take action in order to prevent (something) happening or (someone) from doing something. 2) obtain or take in advance. DERIVATIVES pre emptive adjective pre emptor noun … English terms dictionary
pre-emptive — unprovoked and without warning Used of warfare or violence. Pre emption is buying first, whence denying the purchase to others. In the phrases pre emptive strike and preemptive offensive: It would be important... for the forces of the… … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
pre-emptive — adjective a pre emptive action is done to harm someone else before they can harm you, or to prevent something bad from happening: pre emptive strike/attack: a series of pre emptive strikes on guerilla bases pre emptively adverb … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
pre-emptive — [[t]priː e̱mptɪv[/t]] ADJ: usu ADJ n A pre emptive attack or strike is intended to weaken or damage an enemy or opponent, for example by destroying their weapons before they can do any harm. Pitt wanted to cripple Spain s war making ability by… … English dictionary
pre-emptive — UK [priːˈemptɪv] / US [prɪˈemptɪv] adjective 1) done or said to prevent something from happening a pre emptive strategy 2) intended to make it impossible or difficult for an enemy to attack a pre emptive air strike Derived word: pre emptively… … English dictionary
pre-emptive — /pri ˈɛmptɪv/ (say pree emptiv) adjective 1. of or relating to pre emption. 2. Bridge of or relating to an unnecessarily high bid, made to deter one s opponents from bidding. 3. Military of or relating to an action undertaken to destroy or weaken …
pre-emptive — adj. 1 pre empting; serving to pre empt. 2 (of military action) intended to prevent attack by disabling the enemy (a pre emptive strike). 3 Bridge (of a bid) intended to be high enough to discourage further bidding … Useful english dictionary
