blackmail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information
  2. verb exert pressure on someone through threats
    pressure; blackjack.
  3. verb obtain through threats

WordNet

Black"mail` noun
Etymology
Black + mail a piece of money.
Definitions
  1. 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. Sir W. Scott.
  2. Payment of money exacted by means of intimidation; also, extortion of money from a person by threats of public accusation, exposure, or censure.
  3. (Eng. Law) Black rent, or rent paid in corn, flesh, or the lowest coin, a opposed to "white rent", which paid in silver.
Black"mail` transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Blackmailed present participle & verbal noun Blackmailing
Definitions
  1. To extort money from by exciting fears of injury other than bodily harm, as injury to reputation, distress of mind, etc.; as, to blackmail a merchant by threatening to expose an alleged fraud. U. S.

Webster 1913