forfeit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;
    forfeiture.
  2. noun a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something
    forfeiture.
    • the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time
  3. noun the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
    forfeiture; sacrifice.
  4. verb lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
    throw overboard; forego; waive; forgo; give up.
    • you've forfeited your right to name your successor
    • forfeited property
  5. adjective satellite surrendered as a penalty
    confiscate; forfeited.

WordNet

For"feit noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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 adjective
Etymology
F. forfait, p.p. of forfaire. See Forfeit, n.
Definitions
  1. 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 transitive verb
Etymology
OE. forfeten. See Forfeit, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Forfeited; present participle & verbal noun Forfeiting
Definitions
  1. 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 intransitive verb
Definitions
  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 past participle ∨ adjective
Definitions
  1. In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation. Shak.
    Once more I will renew His lapsèd powers, though forfeite. Milton.

Webster 1913