Extorting

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Extort \Ex*tort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Extorted}; p. pr. & vb.
     n. {Extorting}.] [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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Law) To get by the offense of extortion. See {Extortion},
        2.
        [1913 Webster]