προκατέχω

A. hold or gain possession of beforehand, preoccupy, τὴν πόλιν Th. 4.105; τὸ ἄκρον X. HG 5.4.59; τὸν διάπλουν Plb. 1.61.1; τὰς παρόδους Plu. Nic. 26; διὰ τὸ προκατεσχῆσθαι φρουρᾷ [τὴν ἄκραν Plb. 8.31.1: simply, occupy, ὃν προκατεῖχε τόπον Ael. Tact. 25.7:—Med., hold down before oneself, προκατέσχετο χερσὶ καλύπτρην h.Cer. 197: metaph. in Pass., to be prejudiced, π. εὐνοίᾳ Plb. 8.31.3,27.4.9, cf. 9.31.2; διαβολαῖς Phalar. Ep. 56.

2. Pass., to be predetermined, ὑφ’ ἑτέρας αἰτίας Diogenian.Epicur. 3.60.

II. intr., to be superior, ταῖς ἡλικίαις καὶ ταῖς δόξαις Plb. 27.15.7; ἀγέλης to be leaders of the herd, of bulls, Jul. Or. 6.200d.