conscription

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   compulsory enlistment of people into military service

   Many young men left the country to avoid wartime conscription.

2. 2
   noun

   the compulsory taking of labor or other resources by an authority

   The regime relied on conscription of civilian labor to build the road.

Simplified etymology

Conscription appeared in late Middle English in the literal sense “writing down together,” from Latin con- “with” and scribere “write.” Its modern sense of compulsory enlistment is recorded from 1799.

Through French conscription from Latin conscriptio, 'a writing together, enrollment, or levying of troops,' from conscribere, 'to enroll.' The modern military sense developed from the official listing of persons liable for service.

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External links

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