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

In July the income-tax was reinstituted and a bill was actually carried authorising a levy en masse in case of invasion.

From The Political History of England - Vol XI From Addington's Administration to the close of William IV.'s Reign (1801-1837) by Brodrick, George C. (George Charles)

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

From Louisiana Lou A Western Story by Winter, William West

In 1803 an actual levy en masse of all men between the ages of seventeen and fifty-five was made.

From Freedom In Service Six Essays on Matters Concerning Britain's Safety and Good Government by Hearnshaw, F. J. C. (Fossey John Cobb)

Eulogies are here pronounced on Robespierre and on Babeuf himself; they demand the levy en masse and the disarming of "suspects."

From The French Revolution - Volume 3 by Durand, John

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