Now their energies no longer kept step: hers still bounded ahead of life, Preempting unclaimed regions of hope and activity, while his lagged behind, vainly struggling to overtake her.
"The Greater Inclination"
Edith Wharton
This exclusiveness is foreshadowed in the habits of the majority of animals, each pair Preempting a particular log or burrow or tree in which to rear its young, to which it retreats for safety from enemies.
"The Cost of Shelter"
Ellen H. Richards
Pending the departure for Severndale, Mrs. Harold had, at Captain Stewart's request, engaged three extra rooms, thus practically Preempting her entire corridor for her guests, and a jollier party it would have been hard to find than the one escorted down to the big dining-room that evening by "The Executive Officer," as Captain Stewart called Mrs. Harold, who was acting as chaperone for his party.
"Peggy Stewart at School"
Gabrielle E. Jackson