Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-ACT', v.t. [egzact'; L. exigo, exactum; Sp. exigir; It. esigere; Fr. exiger. See the Adjective.]

1. To force or compel to pay or yield; to demand or require authoritatively; to extort by means of authority or without pity or justice. It is an offense for an officer to exact illegal or unreasonable fees. It is customary for conquerors to exact tribute or contributions from conquered countries.
2. To demand of right. Princes exact obedience of their subjects. The laws of God exact obedience from all men.
3. To demand of necessity; to enforce a yielding or compliance; or to enjoin with pressing urgency. Duty, / And justice to my father's soul, exact / This cruel piety. Denham.