from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Extort \Ex*tort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Extorted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Extorting}.] [L. extortus, p. p. of extorquere to twist
or wrench out, to extort; ex out + torquere to turn about,
twist. See {Torsion}.]
1. To wrest from an unwilling person by physical force,
menace, duress, torture, or any undue or illegal exercise
of power or ingenuity; to wrench away (from); to tear
away; to wring (from); to exact; as, to extort
contributions from the vanquished; to extort confessions
of guilt; to extort a promise; to extort payment of a
debt.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Law) To get by the offense of extortion. See {Extortion},
2.
[1913 Webster]