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Webster 1913 Edition
Extort
Ex-tort′
,Verb.
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.Ex-tort′
,Verb.
I.
To practice extortion.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Ex-tort′
,p.
p.
& Adj.
[L.
extortus
. p. p.] Extorted.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Extort
EXTORT'
,Verb.
T.
1.
To draw from by force or compulsion; to wrest or wring from by physical force, by menace, duress, violence, authority, or by an illegal means. Conquerors extort contributions from the vanquished; tyrannical princes extort money from their subjects; officers often extort illegal fees; confessions of guilt are extorted by the rack. A promise extorted by duress is not binding.2.
To gain by violence or oppression.EXTORT'
,Verb.
I.