I. ˈfȯrfə̇t, -ȯ(ə)f-, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English forfait, forfet, from Middle French, from past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, lose possession because of a crime committed, probably from for, fors outside, out of + faire to make, do, from Latin facere — more at foreclose , do
1. obsolete : misdeed , crime , harm
2. : something which is lost or the right to which is alienated by a crime, offense, neglect of duty, or breach of contract : a thing forfeit or forfeited ; often : fine , mulct , penalty
he who murders pays the forfeit of his life
3. : forfeiture especially of civil rights
4.
a. : something deposited (as for making some mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine
b. forfeits plural but singular in construction : a game in which forfeits are exacted
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English forfaiten, forfeten, from forfait, forfet, n.
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to be guilty of a misdeed
2. : to yield or be subject to a forfeit
if they fail or refuse to make delivery by the 15th they must forfeit
transitive verb
1. : to lose or lose the right to by some error, fault, offense, or crime : alienate the right to possess by some neglect or crime : have to pay as a forfeit
forfeited his estate by treason
forfeiting respect by his actions
2.
a. : to subject (as property) to confiscation as a forfeit
b. archaic : to subject to forfeiture of property : confiscate the estate or possessions of — used of government action
3. obsolete : to cause the forfeiture or loss of
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English forfait, forfet, from Middle French, from past participle of forfaire
: lost or alienated for an error, fault, offense, breach of condition or legal duty, or crime
thy wealth being forfeit to the state — Shakespeare