EXTORT', verb transitive [Latin extortus, from extorqueo, to wrest from; ex and torqueo, to twist.] 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 intransitive To practice extortion.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI