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besiege

[bih-seej]
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verb (used with object), be·sieged, be·sieg·ing.
  1. to lay siege to.
  2. to crowd around; crowd in upon; surround: Vacationers besieged the travel office.
  3. to assail or ply, as with requests or demands.
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Origin of besiege

First recorded in 1250–1300, besiege is from the Middle English word bysegen. See be-, siege
Related formsbe·siege·ment, nounbe·sieg·er, nounbe·sieg·ing·ly, adverbun·be·sieged, adjective

Synonyms

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3. beset, pester, harass, harry, hound.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for besiege

Historical Examples

  • Antony of Bourbon headed an army of the Catholics to besiege the city.

    Henry IV, Makers of History

    John S. C. Abbott

  • So it was with Montgomery, for he was enabled to besiege the fort in both ways.

  • With what passion, what entreaties, what tears did she besiege the throne!

    A Handful of Stars

    Frank W. Boreham

  • I first besiege their hearts with flattery, and then pour in my proposals at the breach.

    The Vicar of Wakefield

    Oliver Goldsmith

  • Notwithstanding the strength of the fortress, William resolved to besiege it.

British Dictionary definitions for besiege

besiege

verb (tr)
  1. to surround (a fortified area, esp a city) with military forces to bring about its surrender
  2. to crowd round; hem in
  3. to overwhelm, as with requests or queries
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Derived Formsbesieger, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for besiege

v.

c.1300, from be- + siege. Related: Besieged; besieging.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper