I. ˈməlkt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin multa, mulcta
1. : fine , penalty , amercement
2. : an arbitrary exaction especially of money
a bill requiring bookmakers to buy a fifty-dollar tax stamp and then pay a mulct of 10 percent on their gross business — A.J.Liebling
II. transitive verb
( mulcted ; mulcted or mulct ; mulcting ; mulcts )
Etymology: Latin multare, mulctare, from multa, mulcta, n.
1. : to punish or penalize by imposing a usually pecuniary fine or forfeiture : exact a mulct from : fine
be mulcted or expelled by the stock exchange committee — G.B.Shaw
2.
a. : to defraud especially of money (as by extortion) : bleed , milk , swindle
aid the claimants in mulcting the insurance company — B.C.Dawkins
mulcted of their meager savings by thieves and swindlers — American Guide Series: New York
b. : to obtain (as money) from someone in an excessive amount or by fraud, duress, or theft
mail fraud in mulcting $60,000 from clients — Time
had mulcted an object of no value — S.J.Perelman