siege
Pronunciation: (sēj), [key] — n., v., sieged, sieg•ing.
—n. - the act or process of surrounding and attacking a fortified place in such a way as to isolate it from help and supplies, for the purpose of lessening the resistance of the defenders and thereby making capture possible.
- any prolonged or persistent effort to overcome resistance.
- a series of illnesses, troubles, or annoyances besetting a person or group: a siege of head colds.
- a prolonged period of trouble or annoyance.
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- a flock of herons.
- the station of a heron at prey.
- the shelf or floor of a glassmaking furnace on which the glass pots are set.
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- a seat, esp. one used by a person of distinction, as a throne.
- station as to rank or class.
- to besiege: The army laid siege to the city for over a month.
—v.t. - to assail or assault; besiege.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.