BLACKMAIL

blackmail

(noun) extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information

blackmail

(verb) obtain through threats

blackmail, blackjack, pressure

(verb) exert pressure on someone through threats

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

blackmail (uncountable)

The extortion of money by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.

(archaic) A form of protection money (or corn, cattle, etc.) anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to the allies of robbers in order to be spared from pillage.

(English law, historical) Black rent, or rent paid in corn, meat, or the lowest coin, as opposed to white rent, which was paid in silver.

Compromising material that can be used to extort someone, dirt.

Verb

blackmail (third-person singular simple present blackmails, present participle blackmailing, simple past and past participle blackmailed)

(transitive) To extort money or favors from (a person) by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, such as injury to reputation, distress of mind, false accusation, etc.

(Kenya) To speak ill of someone; to defame someone.

Source: Wiktionary

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Black"mail`, n. Etym: [Black + mail a piece of money.]

1. A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage. Sir W. Scott.

2. Payment of money exacted by means of intimidation; also, extortion of money from a person by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.

3. (Eng. Law)

Definition: Black rent, or rent paid in corn, flesh, or the lowest coin, a opposed to "white rent", which paid in silver. To levy blackmail, to extort money by threats, as of injury to one's reputation.

Black"mail`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blackmailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Blackmailing.]

Definition: To extort money from by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, as injury to reputation, distress of mind, etc.; as, to blackmail a merchant by threatening to expose an alleged fraud. [U. S.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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