The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Confiscation \Con`fis*ca"tion\, n. [L. confiscatio.]
   The act or process of taking property or condemning it to be
   taken, as forfeited to the public use.
   [1913 Webster]

         The confiscations following a subdued rebellion.
                                                  --Hallam.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

confiscation
    n 1: seizure by the government [syn: confiscation,
         arrogation]