Category:Extort

Ex*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Extorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Extorting.] Etym: [L. extortus, p. p. of extorquere to twist or wrench out, to extort; ex out + torquere to turn about, twist. See Torsion.]

1. To wrest from an unwilling person by physical force, menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise of power or ingenuity; to wrench away (from); to tear away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a debt.

2. (Law)

Defn: To get by the offense of extortion. See Extortion, 2.

extort Ex*tort", v. i.

Defn: To practice extortion. [Obs.] Spenser.

extort Ex*tort", p. p. & a. Etym: [L. extortus. p. p.]

Defn: Extorted. [Obs.] Spenser.