n.
the criminal offence of demanding money from someone in return for not revealing discreditable information.
▸the use of threats or unfair manipulation in an attempt to influence someone:
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emotional blackmail.
v.
subject to blackmail.
Derivative
Etymology
C16 (denoting protection money levied by Scottish chiefs): from black + obs. mail ‘tribute, rent’, from ON mál ‘speech, agreement’.
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