enlist - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Proto-Indo-European *h₁én

Proto-Italic *en

Proto-Italic *en-

Middle English en-

English enlist

From en- + list.

enlist (third-person singular simple present enlists, present participle enlisting, simple past and past participle enlisted)

  1. (transitive) To enter on a list; to enroll; to register.
  2. (intransitive) To voluntarily join a cause or organization, especially military service.
    The army wants potential soldiers to enlist.
  3. (transitive) To recruit the aid or membership of others.
    We enlisted fifty new members.
    • 1890, E. H. Parker, “On Race Struggles in Corea”, in Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan‎[1], volume XVIII, Tokyo: The Hakubunsha, →OCLC, page 218:
      “The Emperor visited east-central China (江與京洛), and enlisted 400,000 soldiers and 500 Wu ships to cross the seas and go to P’ing-jang, (the Kao-li capital).”
  4. (transitive) To secure; to obtain.
    They enlisted the government's support.
    • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 4, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad‎[2]:
      “I have tried, as I hinted, to enlist the co-operation of other capitalists, but experience has taught me that any appeal is futile that does not impinge directly upon cupidity. […] ”

(voluntarily join a cause or organization):

to enter on a list, enroll, register

to join a cause or organization

to recruit others — see also recruit

to secure, obtain — see also get

enlist (plural enlists)

  1. One who is enlisted, usually in a military service.
    • 2006, USA International Business Publications, Taiwan National Security And Defense Law And Regulations Handbook‎[3]:
      […] 19.17% are enlisted officers (including cadets and midshipmen with BA degrees and associate degrees, officers Designated Military Occupational Specialty, the enlists converting into conscripts], officers from ROTCs) ; 0.31% are conscripted […]