mass noun
1- the action, treated as a criminal offence, of demanding money from someone in return for not revealing compromising information which one has about them敲诈; 勒索; 讹诈。
1.1
- money demanded in this way敲诈勒索的钱财：
we do not pay blackmail.
我们是不会支付勒索金的。
1.2
- the use of threats or the manipulation of someone's feelings to force them to do something敲诈; 讹诈; 勒索; 胁迫; 利用他人感情哄骗：
some people use emotional blackmail.
有些人使用感情讹诈的手段。
with obj.
1- demand money from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising information about them敲诈; 勒索（钱财）。
1.1
- force (someone) to do something by using threats or manipulating their feelings胁迫, 利用他人感情骗取：
he had blackmailed her into sailing with him.
他胁迫她和他一起航行。
派生词
blackmailer
noun词源
mid 16th cent. (denoting protection money levied by Scottish chiefs)： from BLACK + obsolete mail 'tribute, rent', from Old Norse mál 'speech, agreement'.