siege

== English == === Alternative forms === syege (15th–16th centuries) === Etymology === From Middle English sege, from Old French sege, siege, seige (modern French siège), from Vulgar Latin *sēdicum, from Latin sēdicŭlum, sēdēcula (“small seat”), from Latin sēdēs (“seat”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /siːd͡ʒ/, [sɪi̯d͡ʒ] Rhymes: -iːdʒ Hyphenation: siege === Noun === siege (plural sieges) Military action. (military) A prolonged military assault or a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. (US) A period of struggle or difficulty, especially from illness. (figuratively) A prolonged assault or attack. A seat. (obsolete) A seat, especially as used by someone of importance or authority. (obsolete) An ecclesiastical see. (obsolete) The place where one has his seat; a home, residence, domain, empire. The seat of a heron while looking out for prey. A flock of herons. (obsolete) A toilet seat. (obsolete) The anus; the rectum. (obsolete) Excrements, stool, fecal matter. (obsolete) Rank; grade; station; estimation. (obsolete) The floor of a glass-furnace. (obsolete) A place with a toilet seat: an outhouse; a lavatory. ==== Synonyms ==== (place with a toilet seat): See Thesaurus:bathroom ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === siege (third-person singular simple present sieges, present participle sieging, simple past and past participle sieged) (transitive, uncommon) To assault or blockade a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition; to besiege. Synonym: besiege ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === Geise, Giese == German == === Pronunciation === === Verb === siege inflection of siegen: first-person singular present singular imperative first/third-person singular subjunctive I == Middle French == === Noun === siege m (plural sieges) siege (prolonged military assault or a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition) seat (place where one sits) ==== Descendants ==== French: siège