Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “conscription” come from?

Conscription derives from Middle French conscription, from Latin conscriptio, a noun formed with the suffix -tio from con- meaning "together" and Latin cum meaning "with."

conscription (English): Involuntary labor, especially military service,...

Definitions

  1. Involuntary labor, especially military service,...

Ancestry of “conscription”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchconscription—
2LatinconscriptioThe act of drawing up or composing; composition;...
3Latincōnscrībō—
4Latincōn-—
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “conscription”

  • anticonscription
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →