|levē-, -vi- + pronunc at en masse noun
also le·vée en masse “ or lə|vā- ; or levy in mass
( plural levies en masse also levées en masse or levies in mass )
Etymology: levy en masse & levy in mass translation of French levée en masse, from levée levy + en masse; levée en masse from French
international law : the spontaneous act of the people of a territory not yet occupied by an enemy force of taking up arms for self-defense upon the approach of an enemy without having had time to organize in accordance with recognized rules of warfare