First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
siege
noun \ˈsēj also ˈsēzh\
: a situation in which soldiers or police officers surround a city, building, etc., in order to try to take control of it
: a serious and lasting attack of something
Full Definition of SIEGE
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
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Origin of SIEGE
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
Rhymes with SIEGE
SIEGE Defined for Kids
siege
noun \ˈsēj\
Definition of SIEGE for Kids
: the act of moving an army around a fortified place to capture it
— lay siege to
: to attack militarily
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