levy en masse

• Terme français repris en anglais désignant la mobilisation massive des citoyens pour le service militaire, notamment en cas d'urgence nationale.

A French term adopted into English meaning a mass conscription or mobilization of citizens for military service, especially in times of national emergency.

1. Mass conscriptionC2formal

   The compulsory enlistment of all able-bodied citizens for military service, especially in times of national emergency.

   levée en masse

   • The government declared a levy en masse to defend the country from invasion.
   • During the revolution, a levy en masse was ordered to raise a large army quickly.
   • The concept of levy en masse dates back to the French Revolution.