mulct
UK: mʌlkt | US: mʌlkt
vt. to extract money from someone as a fine or penalty
n. a fine or penalty, especially one imposed arbitrarily
The word "mulct" traces back to the Latin mulcta, meaning "a fine" or "penalty." It entered English in the late 15th century, retaining its original sense of a financial penalty. The Latin root is thought to derive from mulgēre (to milk), metaphorically extending to the idea of "extracting" money as a punishment. This vivid imagery—treating fines as "milking" wealth—reflects the word’s enduring logic.
The judge decided to mulct the company for its environmental violations.
Protesters argued that the new parking fees were merely a way to mulct citizens.
In ancient Rome, officials could mulct citizens for minor infractions.
The corrupt official was known to mulct bribes from merchants.
The contract included a clause to mulct late payments by 10%.