Word: conscription (noun)

Associations

Conscription is the practice of requiring people to serve in the military. It is often called the draft.

• During World War II, many countries used conscription to build their armies quickly. This means they made young men join the military.
• In some countries, conscription is mandatory, meaning everyone must serve unless they have a valid reason not to.
• Some people oppose conscription because they believe it takes away individual freedom to choose whether to fight in a war.

A well-known synonym for conscription is "draft." The main difference is that "draft" often refers to the process of selecting individuals for military service, while "conscription" refers to the overall system or law that requires service.

Substitution

You can use the word "draft" instead of "conscription" in many contexts. However, "draft" can also imply a selection process, while "conscription" emphasizes the obligation to serve. Other phrases like "military service" or "mandatory enlistment" can be used, but they may not carry the same sense of obligation.

Deconstruction

The word "conscription" comes from the Latin word "conscriptio," which means "to enroll." It has the prefix "con-" meaning "together" and the root "script," which relates to writing or enrolling. This shows that it involves gathering people together for military service.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you heard about conscription in the news or in a book? What was the situation?
• How do you feel about the idea of mandatory military service? Would you support it or oppose it?
• In what ways do you think conscription affects a society? What are the pros and cons?