Forfeit
['fɔːfɪt] or ['fɔrfət]
Definition
(noun.) the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc..
(noun.) a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something; 'the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time'.
(noun.) something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;.
(verb.) lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime; 'you've forfeited your right to name your successor'; 'forfeited property'.
Checked by Irving--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Injury; wrong; mischief.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits.
(n.) Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
(n.) 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.
(v. i.) To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
(v. i.) To fail to keep an obligation.
(p. p. / a.) In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
Edited by Adrian
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Fine, mulct, amercement, penalty, forfeiture.
v. a. Lose (by some offence, by neglect, or by breach of condition).
Edited by Janet
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Fine, penalty, mulct, amercement, damages, loss
ANT:Premium, bribe, douceur, remuneration, compensation, reward, gratuity
Editor: Trudy
Definition
v.t. to lose the right to by some fault or crime:—pr.p. for′feiting; pa.p. for′feited.—n. that which is forfeited: a penalty for a crime or breach of some condition: a fine: something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine or penalty esp. in pl. a game of this kind.—adj. forfeited.—adj. For′feitable.—ns. For′feiter (Shak.) one who incurs punishment by forfeiting his bond; For′feiture act of forfeiting: state of being forfeited: the thing forfeited.
Typist: Portia
Examples
- A forfeit--a forfeit, shouted the robbers; a Saxon hath thirty zecchins, and returns sober from a village! Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- His life is forfeit to the people. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- He is going to pay the forfeit: it will be paid in five minutes more. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The master and mariners, knowing this offence, forfeit all their goods and chattels, and suffer three months imprisonment. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- If the deepest desire be now, to go on into the unknown of death, shall one forfeit the deepest truth for one more shallow? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- For my little woman is a-listening somewheres, or I'll forfeit the business and five hundred pound! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- And she is very happy, thank God, said Ponsonby, and I would rather forfeit my life than destroy her peace. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- I am at present responsible for his life; it shall not be forfeited for half an hour's idle gossip. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Before Emma had forfeited her confidence, and about the third time of their meeting, she heard all Mrs. Elton's knight-errantry on the subject. Jane Austen. Emma.
- They were Brahmins (he said) who had forfeited their caste in the service of the god. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- I, who forfeited mine long ago! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- You see that even a villain and murderer can inspire such affection that his brother turns to suicide when he learns that his neck is forfeited. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- If you fail me, then my honor as well as my position are forever forfeited. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Your parliament never had a right to govern us, and your king has forfeited it by his bloody tyranny. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- In Norfolk and Norwich, no master weaver can have more than two apprentices, under pain of forfeiting five pounds a-month to the king. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Aren't we exchanging the substance for the shadow, aren't we forfeiting life for this dead quality of knowledge? D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- If such is the case, and Mr. Micawber forfeits no privilege by entering on these duties, my anxiety is set at rest. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The person who neglects to balance his account twice in the year, forfeits twenty-five guilders. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The owner of the ship, knowing this offence, forfeits all his interest in the ship and furniture. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I'll give you a clue to my trade, in a game of forfeits. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- What's that game at forfeits? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- He likewise forfeits to the king all his lands, goods, and chattels; is declared an alien in every respect; and is put out of the king's protection. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Tell her to come home soon, and play at forfeits, and make fun. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
Checked by Keith