besiege

Definition

To beset or surround with armed forces for the purpose of compelling to surrender, to lay siege to, beleaguer.

Etymology

From Middle English besegen, bisegen, equivalent to be- (“around, about”) + siege.

Example Sentences

• "When it arrived, the train was headed by a "K" class 4-6-0 wood-burning locomotive, and a water-tank wagon next to the tender was immediately besieged by women and girls, clad in their picturesque national costume, all with empty kerosene tins for water, a scene which was re-enacted at each stop down the line."
• "They should have inflicted a much heavier loss on their besieged opponents, the highlight being a late goal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins on debut after he came on as a substitute."