Definition of forfeit

Email this page to a friend

< foreyard

forfeiture >

for·feit    (fôrft) KEY 

NOUN:

1. Something surrendered or subject to surrender as punishment for a crime, an offense, an error, or a breach of contract.
2. Games
   1. Something placed in escrow and then redeemed after payment of a fine.
   2. forfeits A game in which forfeits are demanded.
3. A forfeiture.

ADJECTIVE:

Lost or subject to loss through forfeiture.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
for·feit·ed, for·feit·ing, for·feits

1. To surrender, be deprived of, or give up the right to on account of a crime, an offense, an error, or a breach of contract.
2. To subject to seizure as a forfeit.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English forfet, crime, penalty, from Old French forfait, past participle of forfaire, to commit a crime, act outside the law : fors-, beyond ; see foreclose + faire, to do ; see feasible

OTHER FORMS:
forfeit·a·ble(Adjective), forfeit·er(Noun)