mulct
[ muhlkt ]
/ mʌlkt /
verb (used with object)
to deprive (someone) of something, as by fraud, extortion, etc.; swindle.
to obtain (money or the like) by fraud, extortion, etc.
to punish (a person) by fine, especially for a misdemeanor.
noun
a fine, especially for a misdemeanor.
Nearby words
mulberry family, mulberry harbour, mulch, mulcher, mulciber, mulct, muldoon, mule, mule chest, mule deer, mule skinner
Origin of mulct
First recorded in 1475–85, mulct is from the Latin word mul(c)ta penalty involving loss of property
Related formsun·mulct·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for mulct
British Dictionary definitions for mulct
mulct
/ (mʌlkt) /
verb (tr)
to cheat or defraud
to fine (a person)
noun
a fine or penalty
Word Origin for mulct
C15: via French from Latin multa a fine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for mulct
mulct
late 15c., "to punish by a fine," from Middle French mulcter "to fine, punish" (15c.), from Latin mulctare, altered (Barnhart calls it "false archaism") from multare "punish, to fine," from multa "penalty, fine," perhaps from Oscan or Samnite [Klein]. Sense of "defraud" is first recorded 1748. Related: Mulcted; mulcting.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper