mulct Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun money extracted as a penalty
    fine; amercement.
  2. verb deprive of by deceit
    rook; scam; gip; nobble; goldbrick; con; short-change; gyp; bunco; victimize; hornswoggle; diddle; defraud; swindle.
    • He swindled me out of my inheritance
    • She defrauded the customers who trusted her
    • the cashier gypped me when he gave me too little change
  3. verb impose a fine on
    • he was fined for littering

WordNet

Mulct noun
Etymology
L. mulcta, multa.
Definitions
  1. A fine or penalty, esp. a pecuniary punishment or penalty.
  2. A blemish or defect. Obs. Syn. -- Amercement; forfeit; forfeiture; penalty.
Mulct transitive verb
Etymology
L. mulctare, multare.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Mulcted; present participle & verbal noun Mulcting
Definitions
  1. To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine or forfeiture, esp. a pecuniary fine; to fine.
  2. Hence, to deprive of; to withhold by way of punishment or discipline. Obs.

Webster 1913