mulct

American  

[muhlkt] / mʌlkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive (someone) of something, as by fraud, extortion, etc.; swindle.

2. to obtain (money or the like) by fraud, extortion, etc.

3. to punish (a person) by fine, especially for a misdemeanor.

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noun

1. a fine, especially for a misdemeanor.

mulct British  

/ mʌlkt /

verb

1. to cheat or defraud

2. to fine (a person)

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noun

1. a fine or penalty

Other Word Forms

• unmulcted adjective

Etymology

Origin of mulct

First recorded in 1475–85, mulct is from the Latin word mul(c)ta penalty involving loss of property

Example Sentences

The company’s grip on the live ticketing market and its habit of mulcting concertgoers with junk fees have existed for decades, long predating its merger with Live Nation.

From Los Angeles Times

Time Warner figured it could mulct the other pay-TV companies for every last dime because, really, what TV service would dare not carry the Dodgers, whatever the price?

From Los Angeles Times

“Existing at the pleasure of the advertisers, to mulct the public, gratifying their stupidity, and render some small advance on investment to the owners, offering putative employment to their etiolated, wastrel sons.”

From Washington Post

Any contravention of the edict shall entail a mulct of one hundred marks, one half payable to the fisc and one half to the party injured.

From Project Gutenberg

The infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court; also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed.

From Project Gutenberg