confiscate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
    attach; sequester; seize; impound.
    • The FBI seized the drugs
    • The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
    • The police confiscated the stolen artwork
  2. adjective satellite surrendered as a penalty
    forfeit; forfeited.

WordNet

Con"fis*cate adjective
Etymology
L. confiscatus, p.p. of confiscare to confiscate, prop., to lay up in a chest; con- + fiscus basket, purse, treasury. See Fiscal.
Definitions
  1. Seized and appropriated by the government to the public use; forfeited.
    Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. Shak.
Con"fis*cate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Confiscated; p present & verbal noun Confiscating
Definitions
  1. To seize as forfeited to the public treasury; to appropriate to the public use.
    It was judged that he should be banished and his whole estate confiscated and seized. Bacon.

Webster 1913