FORFEIT • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Forfeit

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/fˈɔrfɪt/ Listen

noun

Forfeit n.

Injury; wrong; mischief. (Obs. & R.) "To seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit."

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."

Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; whence the game of forfeits. "Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day."

verb

Forfeit v. t. (past & past part. forfeited; pres. part. forfeiting) 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." "Undone and forfeited to cares forever!"

Forfeit v. i.

To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress. (Obs.)

To fail to keep an obligation. (Obs.) "I will have the heart of him if he forfeit."

Forfeit past part., adj. In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation. "Once more I will renew His lapsèd powers, though forfeite."

adjective

Forfeit adj. Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure. "Thy wealth being forfeit to the state." "To tread the forfeit paradise."

See images of 'Forfeit'

Etymology of 'Forfeit'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Forfeit" Quotes from Famous Books

... arrange and dispose all such matters as may seem best to them without further appeal. And if any beneficiary under this Will shall challenge the same or any part of it, or dispute the validity thereof, he shall forfeit to the general estate the bequest made herein to him, and any such bequest shall cease and be void to all intents ...

— The Lady of the Shroud • Bram Stoker

... a square dance down the list, and take out Mr. Redworth—Miss Diana Merlon, Mr. Redworth: he will bring you back to the General, who must not totally absorb you, or he will forfeit his popularity.' ...

— The Shaving of Shagpat • George Meredith

... up the river. But it is very destructive in stormy weather, when it beats wildly upon the beach. Do you now drink it dry, so that there may be rivers and dry land only. If you cannot do so, then forfeit all your possessions." The other said, greatly to the vain-glorious man's surprise: "I accept the challenge." So, on their going down to the beach, the Chief of the Upper Current of the River took a cup and scooped up a little of the ...

— Flowers from a Persian Garden and Other Papers • W. A. Clouston

... allusions to Lieutenant Ferrers, uttered in the presence of other enlisted men, Private Hinkey was sentenced to forfeit fifteen dollars of his pay. For disrespect and insubordination, as evinced toward Sergeant Overton, and for resisting arrest, he was fined twenty-five ...

— Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants - or, Handling Their First Real Commands • H. Irving Hancock

... usual, the Pope with enthusiastic vivats, expressing, at the same time, their detestation of his ministry, which they were wont to applaud so loudly, and which, if it had not by any great activity done much to acquire, had certainly done nothing to forfeit their favor. "Viva Pio Nono! Pio Nono Solo!" was now their cry. The Pope himself next came to be considered as intolerably dilatory in preparing measures of reform. Nor did he escape the accusation, at the same time, of sacrificing to his zeal, as a temporal ruler, the higher duties which he ...

— Pius IX. And His Time • The Rev. AEneas MacDonell

More quotes...