forfeit

noun

1. 1

   A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.

   That he our deadly forfeit should release

2. 2

   A thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.

   He who murders pays the forfeit of his own life.

   Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal / Remit thy other forfeits.

3. 3

   Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.

   Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day.

4. 4

   obsoleteInjury; wrong; mischief.

   a. 1789, Barry St. Leger, Siege of Nicopolis to seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit

verb

1. 1

   To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance

   He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate.

2. 2

   To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules

   Because only nine players were present, the football team was forced to forfeit the game.

3. 3

   To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.

4. 4

   To fail to keep an obligation.

   I will have the heart of him if he forfeit.

5. 5

   Of government officials: to legally remove property from its previous owners.

   After the raid on USPV, Plaintiffs filed claims with the FBI seeking return of their seized property. The government did not return the property in response to these claims; instead, it indicated that it was seeking to forfeit the property.

adjective

1. 1

   Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.

   to tread the forfeit paradise

Forms

plural

forfeits

past tense

forfeited

past participle

forfeited

present participle

forfeiting

third person singular

forfeits