— extorter , n. — extortive , adj.
/ik stawrt"/ , v.t.
1. Law.
a. to wrest or wring (money, information, etc.) from a person by violence, intimidation, or abuse of authority; obtain by force, torture, threat, or the like.
b. to take illegally by reason of one's office.
2. to compel (something) of a person or thing: Her wit and intelligence extorted their admiration.
[ 1375-1425; late ME (adj.) extortus, ptp. of extorquere, equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + torquere to twist ]
Syn. 1. See extract .