How Do You Spell BELEAGUED?

Pronunciation: [bɪlˈiːɡd] (IPA)

The word "beleagued" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /bɪˈliːɡd/. The first syllable is pronounced as "bɪ" with a short "i" sound, followed by "l" with a long "e" sound, and "g" pronounced as "dʒ". The final syllable is pronounced with the long "e" sound, followed by "d" as "d". "Beleagued" means surrounded or besieged, and this spelling may be harder to remember for non-native speakers due to the unusual use of "e" instead of "a" in the middle of the word.

BELEAGUED Meaning and Definition

  1. Beleagued can be defined as an adjective that describes a situation or person that is beset with numerous difficulties, problems, or troubles. The word derives from the late 16th century, originating from the Dutch word belegeren, meaning "to besiege."

    When something or someone is beleagued, they are surrounded, overwhelmed, or under attack by a constant stream of challenges or obstacles. This state of being beleagued often brings a sense of distress, strain, and burden. It suggests a feeling of being trapped or caught in the middle of adverse circumstances, struggling to find a way out.

    For instance, a beleagued city may refer to a place that is constantly plagued by war, conflicts, or aggression from external forces. The residents of such a city might face ongoing challenges and threats to their safety and well-being. Similarly, a beleagued organization could be consistently confronted by financial difficulties, legal troubles, or internal conflicts that hamper its functioning and progress.

    The term "beleagued" is not limited to describing physical threats but can also pertain to mental, emotional, or psychological burdens. If someone is beleagued by worries, responsibilities, or personal problems, it implies a sense of overwhelm and anxiety that hampers their ability to find relief or resolution.

    In summary, beleagued describes a state of being persistently besieged, either by external circumstances or internal challenges, thereby causing distress, difficulty, and strain to the person or situation involved.

Common Misspellings for BELEAGUED

  • beleagure
  • beleagered
  • beleaguered
  • beleageu
  • veleagued
  • neleagued
  • heleagued
  • geleagued
  • bwleagued
  • bsleagued
  • bdleagued
  • brleagued
  • b4leagued
  • b3leagued
  • bekeagued
  • bepeagued
  • beoeagued
  • belwagued
  • belsagued
  • beldagued

Etymology of BELEAGUED

The word "beleaguered" is derived from the combination of two different words: "be-" and "leaguer".

The prefix "be-" in this context intensifies the meaning of the following word. "Leaguer" refers to an encircled military camp or a siege. It has its origins in the Dutch word "leger", which means "camp" or "army".

The term "beleaguered" first appeared in English in the mid-18th century, primarily used in a military context to describe a place or force under siege or surrounded by an enemy. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass the broader sense of being beset by troubles or difficulties in general, rather than just military situations.