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Added 10 October 2026

besiege

/bəˈsiːd͡ʒ/ verb

In Latin: obsideō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about besiege at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To beset or surround with armed forces for the purpose of compelling to surrender, to lay siege to, beleaguer.
To beleaguer, to vex, to lay siege to, to beset.
To assail or ply, as with requests or demands.
The box office was besieged by fans wanting tickets.

Origin

From Middle English besegen, bisegen, equivalent to be- (“around, about”) + siege.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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