mulct: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Extremely RareFormal, Legal, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “mulct” mean?
To extract money from someone as a fine or penalty.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To extract money from someone as a fine or penalty.
To defraud or swindle someone, often through cunning or trickery; more broadly, to deprive someone of something by deceit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British legal or historical texts, but it is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it suggests archaic or highly formal language. It can sound pretentious if used in modern casual contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. It is a word most native speakers would not know or use actively.
Grammar
How to Use “mulct” in a Sentence
[SOMEONE] mulcts [SOMEONE] of [SOMETHING][SOMEONE] is mulcted [in/for AMOUNT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mulct” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The court sought to mulct the company in a heavy fine for its negligence.
- He was mulcted of a considerable sum by the clever fraudster.
American English
- The scheme was designed to mulct retirees of their savings.
- The state mulcted the corporation for environmental damages.
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial form.)
American English
- (No adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (No modern adjectival use. Historical: 'mulct money' meaning penalty money.)
American English
- (No modern adjectival use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical contexts about fraudulent schemes: 'The corrupt official mulcted investors of their capital.'
Academic
Used in legal history or economic history papers discussing old punitive systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would confuse most listeners.
Technical
In law, a specific (though archaic) term for imposing a monetary penalty or for a fraudulent fine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mulct”
- Using it as a synonym for simple 'taking' without the connotation of penalty or fraud. Confusing it with 'molt' (shed skin/feathers). Incorrectly using it as a noun more than a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or highly formal. Most native speakers would not know it.
Yes, but very rarely. As a noun, it means the fine or penalty itself (e.g., 'impose a mulct'), but this usage is even less common than the verb.
'Fine' is neutral and standard. 'Mulct' often carries an additional connotation of illegitimacy, fraud, or unfairness, making it a more loaded term.
No, they are false friends. 'Mulch' is a gardening term for a protective covering. 'Mulct' comes from a Latin word for 'fine' or 'penalty'.
To extract money from someone as a fine or penalty.
Mulct is usually formal, legal, archaic in register.
Mulct: in British English it is pronounced /mʌlkt/, and in American English it is pronounced /məlkt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None common. Possible archaic construction: 'to mulct out of' (to swindle out of).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MULCT' as 'MILK + TRICK' – to milk someone of their money by means of a trick.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE/LAW IS A EXTRACTION (taking something away as punishment). DECEIT IS A NET (catching and taking valuables).
Practice
Quiz
In a modern legal context, which word is most likely to REPLACE 'mulct'?