προκαταλαμβάνω
ἢ λέγε τι σιγῆς κρεῖττον ἢ σιγὴν ἔχε → either say something better than silence or keep silence (Menander)
English (LSJ)
A seize beforehand, occupy in advance, esp. by a military force, Th.2.2, 3.112, X.An.1.3.16, etc.:—Med., Plb.2.27.5, SIG742.7 (Ephesus, i B. C.), etc.:—Pass., to be so occupied, Th. 4.89. 2 generally, preoccupy, τὸ βῆμα Aeschin.3.71; τὰ κοινὰ καὶ φιλάνθρωπα τῶν ὀνομάτων ib.248; τὰ Φιλίππου ὦτα Id.2.108; πράγματα προκατειλημμένα, by the previous speakers, Isoc.4.74. 3 apprehend before, Gal.1.183; -λαμβάνεται τὸ σημεῖον τοῦ σημειωτοῦ S.E.M.8.169; -ειλημμένον πρόσωπον A.D.Synt.26.13 (-ειλεγμένον is f.l. here and in Adv.157.26). 4 Pass., of events, to be predetermined, ὑπὸ τῆς εἱμαρμένης Diogenian. Epicur.3.51, cf. 2.20. II metaph., prevent, anticipate, frustrate, τῶν πόλεων τὰς ἀποστάσεις Th. 1.57; π. ὅπως μὴ . . Id.3.46, 6.18: abs., Id.3.2, etc.; π. καὶ ἀπειλεῖν, of the legislator, Pl.Lg.853b; in speaking, π. τὰ ἐπίδοξα λέγεσθαι Arist. Rh.Al.1443a6, al.; of persons, anticipate or surprise them, Th. 3.3; τοῦ χειμῶνος -λαβόντος [αὐτόν] Plb. 38.8.3:—Med., π. τινά Id.5.36.8; π. τὰς νόσους D.S.1.82, cf. Herod. Med. in Rh.Mus.58.92:— Pass., τῶν . . προκατειλημμένων κατηγορημάτων the charges that have been anticipated, Din.1.1; to be surprised, Plb.2.18.6; -ληφθέντες ἀναλαμβάνονται if taken in time they recover, Philum. ap. Aët.9.7. III overpower first, π. ἡμᾶς ἐς τὴν ὑμετέραν ἐπιχείρησιν crush us in preparation for an attack on you, Th.1.33, cf. 36:— Pass., δεσμοῖς Plb.16.34.11: of. Pass. in med. sense, προκατείλημμαί σ' ὦ τύχη Epicur.Sent.Vat.47 (= Metrod.Fr.49). 2 without any notion of force, win over before, preoccupy, π. καὶ προκολακεύειν τὴν μέλλουσάν τινος δύναμιν Pl.R.494c; τὴν ἐκκλησίαν Aeschin.3.67. b ensure, ὑγιείην Hp.Vict.3.67. c Pass., to be prejudiced, αἱρέσει τινί Gal.4.705. IV fasten securely, Sor.Fasc. 1.