mulct

[muhlkt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mulct ON THESAURUS.COM

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

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

The entire business is carried on to catch and mulct tourists.
Paris Vistas|Helen Davenport Gibbons
But the most dissuaded from this course, thinking that Sigurd would pay the mulct for the slaughter done.
Heimskringla|Snorri Sturlason
The bondes came then, according to agreement, to pay the mulct.
Heimskringla|Snorri Sturlason
I'm richer'n any of 'em and he'll mulct me on my Canadian investments for the balance of half a million!
The Sins of Sverac Bablon|Sax Rohmer

And even from this mulct he was released on the accession of Richard II., a few days after.
Cabinet Portrait Gallery of British Worthies|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for mulct

mulct

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.