a long, slow battle accomplished less by conventional warfare than by starvation , dehydration and biological weapons

an act of war, a particular type of battle meant to conquer an enemy and force his total capitulation

a terrible thing to endure on either side of the walls, for the tension and fear of battle are prolonged not for hours, but for years

a war in microcosm, expressed in heightened, theatrical form

The encirclement of a fortified place by an opposing armed force intending to take it, usually by force, bombardment or starvation over a period of time.