forfeit

Noun · Verb · Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;Synonyms: forfeiture
  2. a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something“the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time”Synonyms: forfeiture
  3. the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.Synonyms: forfeituresacrifice

Verb (1)

  1. lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime“you've forfeited your right to name your successor”“forfeited property”Synonyms: give upthrow overboardwaiveforgoforego

Adjective (1)

  1. surrendered as a penaltySynonyms: confiscateforfeited
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Forfeit \For"feit\, n. [OE. forfet crime, penalty, F. forfait crime (LL. forefactum, forifactum), prop. p. p. of forfaire to forfeit, transgress, fr. LL. forifacere, prop., to act beyond; L. foris out of doors, abroad, beyond + facere to do. See Foreign, and Fact.]

1.Injury; wrong; mischief. [Obs. & R.] [1913 Webster]

To seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit.— Ld. Berners.[1913 Webster]

2.A thing forfeit or forfeited; what is or may be taken from one in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, offense, neglect of duty, or breach of contract; hence, a fine; a mulct; a penalty; as, he who murders pays the forfeit of his life. [1913 Webster]

Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits. [1913 Webster]

Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day.— Goldsmith.[1913 Webster]

Forfeit \For"feit\, v. i.

1.To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2.To fail to keep an obligation. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I will have the heart of him if he forfeit.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Forfeit \For"feit\, p. p. or a. In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Once more I will renew His laps[`e]d powers, though forfeite. --Milton. [1913 Webster]


Forfeit \For"feit\, a. [F. forfait, p. p. of forfaire. See Forfeit, n.] Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure. [1913 Webster]

Thy wealth being forfeit to the state. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

To tread the forfeit paradise. --Emerson. [1913 Webster]


Forfeit \For"feit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Forfeited; p. pr. & vb. n. Forfeiting.] [OE. forfeten. See Forfeit, n.] To lose, or lose the right to, by some error, fault, offense, or crime; to render one's self by misdeed liable to be deprived of; to alienate the right to possess, by some neglect or crime; as, to forfeit an estate by treason; to forfeit reputation by a breach of promise; -- with to before the one acquiring what is forfeited. [1913 Webster]

[They] had forfeited their property by their crimes. --Burke. [1913 Webster]

Undone and forfeited to cares forever! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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