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

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