besiege
UK[bɪˈsiːdʒ]US[bɪˈsiːdʒ]
v
to surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender.
v
to crowd around someone, especially to ask questions or make requests.
v
to overwhelm or harass with persistent demands, problems, or criticism.
Morpheme Breakdown
be
siege
be
seat, blockade
siege
Etymology
the word 'besiege' is formed from the intensive prefix 'be-' and the noun 'siege'. the core concept of a 'siege' originates from the latin verb 'sedere', meaning 'to sit', which evolved through vulgar latin and old french to denote the act of an army sitting down around a fortified place to capture it. the addition of the old english prefix 'be-', which can imply 'all around' or 'thoroughly', intensifies this action. thus, the literal sense of 'sitting all around' a location evolved into the modern military and figurative meanings of surrounding and pressuring relentlessly.
Analysis
Structure: be + siege
be- (from old english 'be-', a prefix forming verbs with a sense of 'around, about, thoroughly'); siege (from old french 'sege', meaning 'seat, blockade', ultimately from vulgar latin 'sedicum', from latin 'sedere', 'to sit').
Examples
the rebel forces moved to besiege the capital city.
after the concert, fans besieged the star for autographs.
the company was besieged with complaints following the product recall.