English dictionary
blackmail
/'bl/&/k,m/eI/l/
Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.
noun
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extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information
Source: WordNet 3.0
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A certain rate of money, corn, cattle, or other thing, anciently paid, in the north of England and south of Scotland, to certain men who were allied to robbers, or moss troopers, to be by them protected from pillage.
Source: webster1913
verb
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exert pressure on someone through threats
Source: WordNet 3.0
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obtain through threats
Source: WordNet 3.0
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To extort money from by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, as injury to reputation, distress of mind, etc.; as, to <i>blackmail</i> a merchant by threatening to expose an alleged fraud.
Source: webster1913