Pre*emp"tion (?; 215), n. [Pref. pre- + emption: cf. F. pr'eemption. See Redeem.]
The act or right of purchasing before others.
Specifically: (a)
The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king of buying provisions for his household in preference to others.
[Eng.] (b)
The right of an actual settler upon public lands (particularly those of the United States) to purchase a certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all other applicants.
Abbott.
© Webster 1913.