beleaguer
pronunciation
How to pronounce beleaguer in British English:
UK [bɪ'li:gə]
How to pronounce beleaguer in American English:
US [bɪˈliɡɚ]
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- Verb:
- annoy persistently
- surround so as to force to give up
Word Origin
- beleaguer
- beleaguer: see lair
- beleaguer (v.)
- 1580s, from Dutch or Low German belegeren "to besiege," from be- "around" (see be-) + legeren "to camp," from leger "bed, camp, army, lair," from Proto-Germanic *leg-raz-, from PIE *legh-to- "lie" (see lie (v.2)). A word from the Flemish Wars (cognates: Swedish belägra, Dutch belegeren "besiege," German Belagerung "siege"). Spelling influenced by league. Related: Beleaguered; beleaguering.
Example
- 1. Civilian trap in the beleaguer city has been airlifted to safety .