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