levy en masse

British  

/ ˈlɛvɪ ɒn ˈmæs /

noun

1. Also called: levée en masse.  the conscription of the civilian population in large numbers in the face of impending invasion

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

levy en masse

They were to supply the place of these two legions at Rome by a levy en masse in the city, and by ordering up the reserve legion from Capua.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 02 (From the Rise of Greece to the Christian Era) by Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis)

The king, Ysiaslaf, called for a levy en masse, of the inhabitants of Kief, summoned distant feudal barons with their armies to his banner, and marched impetuously to meet the conquering foe.

From The Empire of Russia by Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)

These works were constructed by a general corvee or levy en masse, each family being required to provide one able-bodied man, and the whole of the army was also employed on this public undertaking.

From China by Boulger, Demetrius Charles

You can’t build empires out of the levy en masse.

From Louisiana Lou A Western Story by Winter, William West

If his country is fighting by a levy en masse for her very existence, he aids her by depreciating her paper, so that he may accumulate fabulous amounts with little outlay.

From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert