Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - siege

n. 1 a a military operation in which an attacking force seeks to compel the surrender of a fortified place by surrounding it and cutting off supplies etc. b a similar operation by police etc. to force the surrender of an armed person. c the period during which a siege lasts. 2 a persistent attack or campaign of persuasion. Phrases and idioms lay siege to esp. Mil. conduct the siege of. raise the siege of abandon or cause the abandonment of an attempt to take (a place) by siege. siege-gun hist. a heavy gun used in sieges. siege-train artillery and other equipment for a siege, with vehicles etc. Etymology: ME f. OF sege seat f. assegier BESIEGE