verb , noun
■ verb
/ kənˈskrɪpt; NAmE / [ vn ] [ usually passive ] conscript sb (into sth) ( especially BrE ) ( NAmE usually draft ) to make sb join the armed forces
SYN call up :
He was conscripted into the army in 1939.
■ noun
/ ˈkɒnskrɪpt; NAmE ˈkɑːn-/ ( especially BrE ) ( US usually draft·ee ) a person who has been conscripted to join the armed forces :
young army conscripts
conscript soldiers / armies
—compare volunteer
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent. (as a noun): from French conscrit , from Latin conscriptus , past participle of conscribere enrol. The verb is a back-formation from conscription .