| 释义 |
conscription|kənˈskrɪpʃən|
[ad. L. conscrīptiōn-em drawing up in writing, composing, a composition, a levying of troops, n. of action from conscrībĕre to conscribe.]
†1. Writing down together, putting in writing.
1382Wyclif Tobit vii. 16 And the chartre taken, thei maden the conscripcioun [1388 writyng togidere] of the wedloc. 1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 332/4 Thus Luke had..prouffyte by conscrypcion & wrytyng of his doctryne.
†2. Conjoint signature. Obs. rare—1.
1615T. Adams Black Devil 4 They signe not..in their owne particular and singular names, but require the conscription and evident consent of their Counsell.
†3. Enrolment or enlistment (of soldiers). Obs.
1529Wolsey in Burnet Hist. Ref. I. App. ii. xxiii. 65 Not having..none order, provision of victual, towardness in conscription of men of war, or appearance of such thing. 1656Blount Glossogr., Conscription, an enrolling.
4. spec. The compulsory enlistment of men for military (or naval) service; esp. where the liability to serve is legally established; an application of this method of obtaining recruits.
The word was introduced in connexion with a law of the French Republic, 5 Sept. 1798, which provided that the recruits required for service should be compulsorily obtained from the young men between the ages of twenty and twenty-five, whom it declared to be legally liable to serve in the army. Hence it has become a general term for methods of compulsory enlistment; but, technically, as distinguished from universal military service, it implies the enrolment by lot of a fixed number of those liable to service, with the option given of procuring a substitute.
1800Weems Washington xvi. (1877) 236 Our persons have been free from the impressments and conscriptions. 1813Examiner 18 Jan. 38/2 The Conscription of 1813 has furnished 160,000 men. 1838Arnold Hist. Rome I. 480 The Africans..were subject to taxes and to a conscription of their youth to serve as soldiers. 1862Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xx. 391 Conscription is to one man personal service, to another the payment of a tax. 1878Morley Diderot I. 208 Peasants turned lackeys to escape the conscription, just as in our own days they turn priests.
attrib.1863Illust. Lond. News XLII. 551/1 The Federal Government intends to commence the enforcement of the Conscription Act at once.
fig.1814Q. Rev. XI. 96 The conscription of ancient and vulgar terms to the service of poetry.
b. The body of conscripts collectively.
1823Southey Hist. Penins. War I. 115 General Clarke..advised that the conscription for the year 1809 should be called out. |