a. Obs. Also 6 -sious, 7 -cious. [f. EXTORTI-ON + -OUS, after the analogy of captious.] a. Characterized by extortion, oppressive in exactions. b. Gained by extortion; demanded in an extortionate manner.
1602. Fulbecke, 2nd Pt. Parall., 26. The extorcious & tyrannous spoiles of Cleon.
1607. Norden, Surv. Dial., 34. The … ouerburdening the Tenants by the Lord, may be extortious.
1615. J. Stephens, Satyr. Ess. (ed. 2), 13. Who threatens … If Clyents … Be slacke in payment of extortious coine.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 77. We do well … to curb … the extortious cruelties of some.
a. 1734. North, Lives, II. 420. Divers false and extortious demands which they call Avanias.
1776. Bentham, Wks. (1843), I. 239. The lying and extortious jargon of Recoveries.
Hence † Extortiously adv. Obs.
1529. More, Comf. agst. Trib., Wks. 1207. He was growen to substance in that office, that was commonly misseused extorsiously.
