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forfeit definition

for·feit (fôr′fit)

noun

  1. something that one loses or has to give up because of some crime, fault, or neglect of duty; specif., a fine or penalty
    1. a thing taken away as a penalty for making some mistake in a game, and redeemable by a specified action
    2. any game in which such forfeits are taken
  3. the act of forfeiting; forfeiture

Etymology: ME forfet < OFr forfait, pp. of forfaire, to transgress < ML forisfacere, to do wrong, lit., to do beyond < L foris, foras, out-of-doors, beyond (see foreign) + facere (see fact)

adjective

lost, given up, or taken away as a forfeit

transitive verb

to lose, give up, or be deprived of as a forfeit for some crime, fault, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

forfeit Synonyms

forfeit

v.

sacrifice, give up, give over, relinquish; see abandon 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

forfeit Usage Examples

Object

  • recognizance: Enforcement of fines imposed and recognizances forfeited by Crown Court.

Preposition: on

  • cancelation: No refund of premiums will be made and the insurance premium is forfeited on cancelation.

Subject

  • sin: Obviously this intense belief in a future life of eternal happiness, which would be forfeited by sin, had a profound influence.

Modifying Another Word

  • thereby: Everybody is free to quit at any time, thereby forfeiting payment.

Used with why or when

  • when: The insurer agreed to pay the balance of the holiday cost, which the couple had forfeited when they canceled.

Preposition: in

  • event: The bonds would be forfeited in the event of trouble.

Preposition: for

  • treason: All the Hamilton estates were confiscated under the Act for the sale of estates forfeited for treason.

Preposition: by

  • sin: Obviously this intense belief in a future life of eternal happiness, which would be forfeited by sin, had a profound influence.
forfeit usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

forfeit quotes

'Cause some make forfeit of their name, And slave themselves to man's desire; Shall the sex free From guilt, damn'd to the bondage be?

-Habington,William

forfeit quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"forfeit." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/forfeit>

APA Style

forfeit. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/forfeit

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