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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

1obsolete : a seat of distinction : throne2 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 militarily2: to pursue diligently or persistently

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