Definitions for: Forfeit


[n] the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
[n] 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"
[n] something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;
[adj] surrendered as a penalty
[v] lose or lose the right to by some error, offense, or crime



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.]

To seek arms upon people and country that never did
us any forfeit. --Ld. Berners.

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.

Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy
other forfeits. --Shak.

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

Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of
the day. --Goldsmith.


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

Thy wealth being forfeit to the state. --Shak.

To tread the forfeit paradise. --Emerson.


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.

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

Undone and forfeited to cares forever! --Shak.


For"feit, v. i.
1. To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
[Obs.]

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

I will have the heart of him if he forfeit. --Shak.


For"feit, p. p. or a.
In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
--Shak.

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

Synonyms: confiscate, forfeited, forfeiture, forfeiture, forgo, give up, lost, sacrifice, throw overboard, waive

Antonyms: arrogate, claim, lay claim

See Also: abandon, act, human action, human activity, lapse, loss, penalty

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