from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Occupy \Oc"cu*py\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Occupied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Occupying}.] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L. occupare;
ob (see {Ob-}) + a word akin to capere to take. See
{Capacious}.]
1. To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to
possess.
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Woe occupieth the fine [end] of our gladness.
--Chaucer.
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The better apartments were already occupied. --W.
Irving.
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2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to take up the room
or space of; to cover or fill; as, the camp occupies five
acres of ground. --Sir J. Herschel.
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3. To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the
service of; to employ; to busy.
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An archbishop may have cause to occupy more
chaplains than six. --Eng. Statute
(Hen. VIII. )
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They occupied themselves about the Sabbath. --2
Macc. viii.
27.
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4. To do business in; to busy one's self with. [Obs.]
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All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were
in thee to occupy the merchandise. --Ezek. xxvii.
9.
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Not able to occupy their old crafts. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
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5. To use; to expend; to make use of. [Obs.]
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All the gold that was occupied for the work. --Ex.
xxxviii. 24.
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They occupy not money themselves. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
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6. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.] --Nares.
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