Beleaguering

beleaguering
    n 1: the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified
         place and isolates it while continuing to attack [syn:
         {siege}, {besieging}, {beleaguering}, {military blockade}]
    

Beleaguer \Be*lea"guer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beleaguered}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Beleaguering}.] [D. belegeren (akin to G.
   belagern, Sw. bel[aum]gra, Dan. beleire); pref. be- = E. be-
   + leger bed, camp, army, akin to E. lair. See {Lair}.]
   To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to
   besiege; to blockade.
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         The wail of famine in beleaguered towns. --Longfellow.
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   Syn: To block up; environ; invest; encompass.
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