conscientious objector Hear it!

conscientious objector definition - legal

n

A person who, due to religious belief, refuses to participate as a combatant in any war. By law, such an individual is exempt from serving as a combatant, but may be required to perform an alternative form of service to the country in a civilian or non-combatant military role.
selective conscientious objector
A person who does not object to all wars, but only to those he considers unjust. Such an individual is not exempt from service as a combatant.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.