The term “besieged” is often used to describe a situation where someone or something is under attack or is being surrounded by an enemy. It is a word that has been used for centuries and has its roots in military history. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of besieged, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
The word “besieged” is an adjective that describes a situation where someone or something is being surrounded and attacked by an enemy. It can also refer to a situation where someone or something is being subjected to intense pressure or criticism. In military terms, a siege is a prolonged period of attack, where the enemy surrounds a city, fortress, or other location in an attempt to capture it.
Origin
The word “besieged” comes from the Old French word “beseier,” which means to besiege or encircle. The word was first recorded in English in the 14th century and has been used ever since to describe situations of conflict and pressure.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the meaning of “besieged” is “surrounded by hostile forces.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “to surround with armed forces.” The Collins English Dictionary defines it as “to lay siege to,” while the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “to surround a place with soldiers or police to prevent people from leaving or entering.”
Associations
The word “besieged” is often associated with conflict, war, and military history. It is also associated with pressure, stress, and criticism. In modern usage, it can refer to a situation where someone or something is under attack from multiple angles, such as a business under attack from competitors or a person under attack from the media.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “besieged” include surrounded, encircled, trapped, cornered, and hemmed in. These words all describe a situation where someone or something is under attack or pressure from all sides.
Antonyms
Antonyms of “besieged” include free, unencumbered, liberated, and independent. These words describe a situation where someone or something is not under attack or pressure and is free to move and act as they please.
The same root words
The word “besieged” shares the same root word as “besiege,” “beset,” and “beleaguer.” These words all describe a situation where someone or something is under attack or pressure.
Example Sentences
- The city was besieged by enemy forces for months before finally surrendering.
- The company was besieged by negative reviews and criticism from customers.
- The politician was besieged by reporters asking tough questions about their policies.
- The family felt besieged by financial troubles and mounting debt.
- The athlete was besieged by injuries throughout their career.