- conscript (v.)
- 1813, Amer.Eng., a word from the militia drafts in the War of 1812; probably a back-formation from conscription. Popularized (or unpopularized) during U.S. Civil War, when both sides resorted to it in 1862. Related: Conscripted (1813).
- conscript (adj.)
- 1530s, from L. conscriptus, pp. of conscribere (see conscription). The noun is attested 1800, from Fr. conscrit.