Inflected forms: be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es 1. To surround with hostile forces. 2. To crowd around; hem in. 3. To harass or importune, as with requests: Reporters besieged the winner for interviews.4. To cause to feel distressed or worried: She was besieged by problems.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English besegen, probably alteration of assegen, from Old French assegier, from Vulgar Latin *assedicre : Latin ad-, ad- + Vulgar Latin *sedicre, to sit; see siege.
OTHER FORMS:
be·siegement —NOUN be·sieger —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
besiege, beleaguer, blockade, invest, siege These verbs mean to surround with hostile forces: besiege a walled city; the enemy beleaguered the enclave; blockaded the harbor; investing a fortress; a castle sieged by invaders.
b
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re : Latin ad-, ad- + Vulgar Latin *sedic
