A.hold or gain possession of beforehand, preoccupy, “τὴν πόλιν” Th.4.105; “τὸ ἄκρον” X.HG5.4.59; “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.
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.