Besieged: meaning, definitions and examples
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besieged
[bɪˈsiːdʒd ]
Definitions
military action
Besieged refers to the act of surrounding and attacking a fortified place, especially in warfare. The term implies a prolonged campaign where forces are cut off from supplies and reinforcements until surrender or capture is achieved.
Synonyms
blockaded, encircled, surrounded.
Examples of usage
- The city was besieged for months, leading to severe shortages of food.
- During the siege, the defenders did their best to hold out against the besieging army.
- The castle had been besieged several times throughout its history.
- In the novel, the protagonist finds themselves besieged by enemies on all sides.
emotional pressure
Besieged can also mean to be overwhelmed or attacked by a large number of questions, requests, or overwhelm of emotions. This usage conveys the idea of being constantly pressured or bombarded without relief.
Synonyms
assailed, bombarded, overwhelmed.
Examples of usage
- After the announcement, the company was besieged by calls from the media.
- She felt besieged by the endless inquiries of her concerned friends.
- The politician was besieged with questions from reporters at the event.
- He was besieged by feelings of doubt and fear before his big presentation.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term comes from the Latin word 'sedere', which means 'to sit'. This reflects how attackers would sit around a location, waiting.
- Throughout history, many cities have faced sieges, such as the Siege of Troy, made famous by Homer's epic poems.
- Sieges were a critical part of warfare in the Middle Ages, with armies surrounding fortified places to force surrender.
Literature
- In literature, a siege is often used as a metaphor for emotional or psychological struggles, showcasing a person's internal conflicts.
- Shakespeare's plays often depict characters who feel besieged by their own thoughts or societal pressures, emphasizing human vulnerability.
- The concept of being besieged has appeared in novels ranging from classic epics to modern dystopian tales, mirroring real-life challenges.
Psychology
- Feeling besieged can lead to stress and anxiety, similar to what people experience during a real siege, where they feel trapped and overwhelmed.
- This term can describe emotional states where people feel pressure from multiple sources, leading to a sense of helplessness.
- Therapists might use 'besieged' to help clients articulate feelings of being overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
Pop Culture
- Movies often depict dramatic sieges, such as 'Lord of the Rings', where entire realms come under siege by dark forces, highlighting themes of bravery.
- Video games frequently use besieged locations as settings, with players tasked to defend against waves of attacking enemies.
- The idea of being besieged has influenced numerous songs and artworks, capturing the emotion of struggle against overwhelming odds.
War Tactics
- Sieges can be lengthy and require advanced strategies, such as cutting off supplies to weaken the defenses.
- The development of siege engines, like catapults and battering rams, revolutionized how sieges were conducted, making them more effective.
- Modern warfare sometimes mirrors traditional sieges, utilizing tactics that pressure targets through isolation rather than direct assault.
Translations
Translations of the word "besieged" in other languages:
🇵🇹 assedado
🇮🇳 घेराबंदी किया गया
🇩🇪 belagert
🇮🇩 dikepung
🇺🇦 в облозі
🇵🇱 oblężony
🇯🇵 包囲された
🇫🇷 assiégé
🇪🇸 asediado
🇹🇷 kuşatılmış
🇰🇷 포위된
🇸🇦 محاصر
🇨🇿 obklíčený
🇸🇰 obliehaný
🇨🇳 被围困的
🇸🇮 obkoljen
🇮🇸 umsátur
🇰🇿 қоршауда
🇬🇪 შემოწერილი
🇦🇿 məhdudlaşdırılmış
🇲🇽 asediado