siège

Siège can refer to several concepts. In its most common meaning, it denotes a seat or chair, an item of furniture designed for one person to sit on, typically with a back and four legs. This can range from simple stools to elaborate thrones. The word originates from the Latin "sedes," meaning a seat or dwelling.

In a historical or military context, siège refers to a prolonged military operation in which a city, fortress, or building is surrounded and attacked. The objective of a siege is to capture the besieged location by force or by starving out the defenders. Famous sieges throughout history include the Siege of Troy, the Siege of Constantinople, and the Siege of Leningrad.

Another meaning of siège relates to a bishop's seat, or cathedra, which is the principal church of a diocese. This is where the bishop presides over religious services. The term is derived from the Latin word for "seat."

In French, siège also has a legal meaning, referring to a court or tribunal where legal cases are heard and judged. It can also denote the headquarters or main office of a company or organization. The specific meaning is usually clear from the context in which the word is used.