SIEGE

[noun] [C] - the surrounding of a place by an armed force in order to defeat those defending itThe siege of Mafeking lasted for eight months. [C]After a three-day siege, the terrorists who had seized the restaurant gave themselves up to the police. [C]The castle was under siege/in a state of siege for months. [U]The soldiers laid siege to (= started a siege of) the city. [U]See also besiege.(figurative) In those days Brigitte Bardot was under siege by photographers at Cannes.Ever since that unfortunate incident he has been suffering from a siege mentality (= a fearful or defensive attitude).