Besieged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฐ
besieged
[bษชหsiหdสd ]
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.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
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 lifeโs 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.
Origin of 'besieged'
The word 'besiege' comes from the Old French 'besieger,' which is derived from the Latin 'obsidฤre,' meaning 'to sit down before.' It was originally used to describe a military tactic that involved surrounding a fortified position to force its surrender. The term has evolved over the centuries to encompass both its literal military meaning and a more metaphorical usage describing emotional or psychological pressure. In modern English, it retains both senses, appearing in contexts ranging from historical battles to everyday situations where someone feels overwhelmed by questions or demands.