Enlists

/ɪnˈlɪsts/ verb

Definition

Third person singular present tense of 'enlist'; to join the military voluntarily, or to recruit someone into service.

Etymology

From Old French 'enlister,' combining 'en-' (to cause to be) with 'liste' (list or roll). The word entered English in the 17th century with the formalization of military recruitment.

Kelly Says

The phrase 'enlists the help of' has become so common in modern English that we use it even when no military service is involved—someone might 'enlist the help' of a friend to move furniture, showing how military language spreads into everyday speech.

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