World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesbelagern
Pronunciation / Transliteration: bəˈlaːɡɐn
"Die Truppen begannen, die Festung zu belagern."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender; to lay siege to.
"The medieval army gathered to besiege the castle walls." - 2
To crowd around someone in order to ask questions or press demands; to overwhelm continuously.
"Furious reporters continued to besiege the celebrity as she left the hotel."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'besegen', combining the prefix 'be-' (thoroughly) with 'segen', which stems from Old French 'siegier' (to sit, besiege). Ultimately, it traces back to the Vulgar Latin root 'sedicare', derived from Latin 'sedere' (to sit). Over time, the meaning evolved from physically sitting around a fortified place to encircle and attack it, to a broader figurative sense of overwhelming someone with requests or questions.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Besiege"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Besiege" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
assiéger
Transliteration: ah-syeh-zhay
"L'armée a commencé à assiéger la ville fortifiée."
belagern
Transliteration: bəˈlaːɡɐn
"Die Truppen begannen, die Festung zu belagern."
assediare
Transliteration: as-se-djà-re
"I nemici decisero di assediare la città."
asediar
Transliteration: a-se-djar
"Las tropas llegaron para asediar el castillo."
sitiar
Transliteration: si-tʃiˈaɾ
"O exército preparou-se para sitiar a fortaleza."
घेरा डालना
Transliteration: ghera dalna
"सेना ने शहर को घेरने के लिए घेरा डालना शुरू कर दिया।"
围攻
Transliteration: wéigōng
"敌军开始围攻这座坚固的城市。"
포위하다
Transliteration: powihada
"군대는 성을 포위하기 시작했습니다."
包围
Transliteration: hōisuru
Script: 包囲する
"軍隊は要塞を包囲し始めた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA visitor or attendee whose arrival was not anticipated or announced beforehand.
Causing strong emotional or ideological reactions because it relates to political issues, power dynamics, or government policies.
Deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss; the state of being saved.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Besiege"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
How Many Chapters Are in 'The Book Thief'?
Markus Zusak’s *The Book Thief* contains 80 main chapters divided across 10 main parts, framed by a Prologue and an Epilogue. Counting the sub-sections in the prologue and epilogue, the novel comprises 88 total titled sections.