rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: con-
Latin

con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

  • con-
  • com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
  • col- — The final consonant changed before l.
  • cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
  • co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

conscription

kun-SKRIP-shun/kənˈskrɪpʃn/

Compulsory enrollment in military service.

The government uses conscription to fill the ranks of its army.

A row of ordinary adult civilians reluctantly queues at an official military enrollment desk, a notice says only DRAFT, compulsory enrollment conveyed by an officer checking attendance, no other text.
Etymology
conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly
+scriptLatinwrite
+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Writing names together produces a list or register. Conscription first meant a written record, then enrollment of soldiers, and eventually compulsory military enrollment.

In context

The Scottish Parliament21:25
most not there as volunteers but through conscription or under the threat of conscription.
Motion of Remembrance - 8 November 2018

More examples

  • The new law exempts some medical workers from conscription.
  • Protesters demand an end to military conscription.
  • Without conscription, the armed forces must rely on volunteers.

Forms

conscript verb — To require someone to enter military service.

Similar words

draft
The usual American term for compulsory enrollment in military service.
impressment
Historically involved seizing people, especially sailors, for military service.