besieged

Everyday

1. Surrounded by an army that is trying to capture a town or castle. tree →
2. Surrounded or crowded by many people who want something, such as reporters or fans. tree →
3. Bothered by a great many requests, questions or problems. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons castles and cities were besieged for months until food ran out. In news and everyday speech a famous person is «besieged by fans» and a shop is «besieged by shoppers» on sale day.

Examples

• The castle was besieged for six months. tree →
• The besieged town ran out of food. tree →
• The footballer was besieged by fans asking for autographs. tree →
• The teacher was besieged with questions about the trip. tree →
• Troy was besieged by the Greeks for ten years. tree →
• The helpline was besieged with calls after the storm. tree →

Note

Spelling: «ie» – besiege, siege. Often in the passive: «be besieged by/with». Related noun: siege. Do not confuse with «beseech» (to beg).

In Jewish tradition

In history lessons castles and cities were besieged for months until food ran out. In news and everyday speech a famous person is «besieged by fans» and a shop is «besieged by shoppers» on sale day.

Examples

• So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. (Prophets 2KI.25.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. (Prophets 1KI.16.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. (Prophets 2KI.24.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «ie» – besiege, siege. Often in the passive: «be besieged by/with». Related noun: siege. Do not confuse with «beseech» (to beg).