Besiege Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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besiege
[bɪˈsiːdʒ ]
Definitions
warfare
To surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender.
Synonyms
beset, blockade, encircle, surround.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| besiege |
Used to describe a military operation where forces surround a place to force its surrender, or figuratively when someone is overwhelmed by requests or complaints.
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| beset |
Used when someone is facing a lot of trouble or difficulties on all sides. It can refer to physical situations or emotional and mental challenges.
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| encircle |
Used to describe a physical or metaphorical situation where something or someone is completely surrounded.
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| blockade |
Describes an act of war where roads, ports, or cities are blocked to prevent goods and people from going in or out, or figuratively when resources or information are intentionally restricted.
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| surround |
Described when something or someone is on all sides of a particular area or individual. It is more neutral and can be used in positive, negative, or neutral contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The enemy troops besieged the castle for weeks before finally breaking through the defenses.
- The city was besieged by enemy forces, cutting off all supply routes.
pressure
To crowd around someone in an aggressive or threatening manner.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| besiege |
Besiege is typically used in the context of military operations or intense pressure, where a place (usually a city or fortress) is surrounded by armed forces to capture it or force surrender. It can also be used metaphorically to describe overwhelming pressure or harassment from multiple sources.
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| swarm |
Swarm is often used to describe a large number of people, animals, or insects moving together in a busy or crowded manner. It can imply overwhelming numbers but not necessarily aggression.
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| mob |
Mob is used to describe a large, disorderly crowd of people, often with a sense of aggression or intent to cause trouble. It carries a negative connotation and implies chaos or potential danger.
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| surround |
Surround is a more neutral term used to describe the act of encircling something or someone from all sides. It doesn't carry the intense military or chaotic connotations of 'besiege' or 'mob'.
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Examples of usage
- The reporters besieged the celebrity as soon as she exited the building.
- Fans besieged the stage after the concert, hoping for a glimpse of the band.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Significance
- In ancient warfare, sieges were a common tactic, often taking months to successfully capture a city.
- The Siege of Troy is one of the most famous historical sieges, lasting ten years and famously depicted in Greek mythology.
- The use of siege engines, like catapults and trebuchets, marked advancements in military technology during the Middle Ages.
Cultural References
- The concept of besiegement has appeared in countless films and books, often symbolizing struggle and resilience.
- Video games like 'Age of Empires' feature siege mechanics, where players can strategize to take down fortified enemy positions.
- The phrase 'sitting on the sidelines' can metaphorically relate to the idea of waiting before making an attack, akin to a siege.
Psychology
- The feeling of being 'besieged' can relate to stress, where one feels overwhelmed by demands or pressures from all sides.
- Studies show that prolonged stress, much like a siege, can affect mental well-being and lead to anxiety.
- Understanding siege mentality helps in recognizing how people or groups may feel isolated or attacked in social situations.
Literature
- The notion of besieging often serves as a metaphor in literature to describe emotional or psychological struggles characters face.
- In Shakespeare's works, characters sometimes find themselves 'besieged' by their emotions, reflecting inner turmoil.
- The theme of a besieged city can represent the struggle between hope and despair, prevalent in dystopian literature.
Origin of 'besiege'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'besieger', which means 'to sit around'.
- It originally meant to lay siege to a place, emphasizing the act of surrounding it closely.
- The root 'sieger' means 'to sit', which reflects how forces would encircle a location.
The word 'besiege' comes from the Old French term 'bésieger', which in turn derives from the Latin 'obsidio', meaning 'a siege'. The concept of besieging a place has been a fundamental strategy in warfare throughout history, dating back to ancient times when armies would lay siege to cities and fortresses to conquer them. The word has evolved to also encompass the idea of surrounding or pressuring someone in a non-military context.
See also: siege.