Besiegement

be·siege  (b-sj)

tr.v. be·sieged, be·sieg·ing, be·sieg·es

1. To surround with hostile forces.

2. To crowd around; hem in.

3. To harass or importune, as with requests: Reporters besieged the winner for interviews.

4. To cause to feel distressed or worried: She was besieged by problems.

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[Middle English besegen, probably alteration of assegen, from Old French assegier, from Vulgar Latin *assedicre : Latin ad-, ad- + Vulgar Latin *sedicre, to sit; see siege.]

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be·siegement n.

be·sieger n.

Synonyms: besiege, beleaguer, blockade, invest, siege
These verbs mean to surround with hostile forces: besiege a walled city; the enemy beleaguered the enclave; blockaded the harbor; investing a fortress; a castle sieged by invaders.