black´mail´er

black|mail «BLAK _MAYL», noun, verb.

–n.

1. an attempt to obtain (money, a promise, or other gain) from a person by threatening to tell something that will disgrace him or someone dear to him.

2. the threat of such an attempt.

3. a sum of money or something of value obtained by such an attempt.

4. the action of forcing anyone into doing something by the use of threats: »

They must be given a guarantee against “blackmail” by the nuclear Powers (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

5. (in former times) money paid to outlaw bands, for protection against plunder, by farmers and small landowners along the Scottish and English borders.

–v.t.

1. to get or try to get blackmail from.

2. to force into doing something by the use of threats.

╂[< black + mail rent, tribute, coin < Old French maille < mail, medaille coin, medal]

–black´mail´er, noun.