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siege

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siege

Main Entry: siege

Pronunciation: \ˈsēj also ˈsēzh\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English sege, from Anglo-French, seat, blockade, from Old French *siegier to seat, settle, from Vulgar Latin *sedicare, from Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

Date: 13th century

1 obsolete : a seat of distinction : throne
2 a : a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender b : a persistent or serious attack (as of illness)

— siege transitive verb

— lay siege to 1 : to besiege militarily
2 : to pursue diligently or persistently

Learn more about "siege" and related topics at Britannica.com

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