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