EXAC'TION, noun The act of demanding with authority, and compelling to pay or yield; authoritative demand; a levying or drawing from by force; a driving to compliance; as the exaction of tribute or of obedience. 1. Extortion; a wresting from one unjustly; the taking advantage of one's necessities, to compel him to pay illegal or exorbitant tribute, fees or rewards. Take away your exactions from my people. Ezekiel 45:9. 2. That which is exacted; tribute, fees, rewards or contributions demanded or levied with severity or injustice. Kings may be enriched by exactions, but their power is weakened by the consequent disaffection of their subjects.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI