levy en masse

noun

¦levē-,
-vi- + pronunciation at en masse
variants or less commonly levée en masse
" or lə¦vā-
or levy in mass
plural levies en masse also levées en masse or levies in mass
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

Word History

Etymology

levy en masse & levy in mass translation of French levée en masse, from levée levy + en masse; levée en masse from French

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Cite this Entry

“Levy en masse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/levy%20en%20masse. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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