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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