GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   Forfeit , n. [OE. forfet crime, penalty, F. forfait crime (LL. forefactum, forifactum), prop. p. p. of forfaire to forfeit, transgress, fr. LL. forifacere, prop., to act beyond; L. foris out of doors, abroad, beyond + facere to do. See Foreign, and Fact.]
   Injury; wrong; mischief. [Obs. & R.]
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   To seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit.
   Ld. Berners.
   
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   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.
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   Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
   Remit thy other forfeits.
   Shak.
   
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   Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits.
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   Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day.
   Goldsmith.
   
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2.       
   Forfeit, a. [F. forfait, p. p. of forfaire. See Forfeit, n.] Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
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   Thy wealth being forfeit to the state.
   Shak.
   
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   To tread the forfeit paradise.
   Emerson.
   
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3.       
   Forfeit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Forfeited; p. pr. & vb. n. Forfeiting.] [OE. forfeten. See Forfeit, 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.
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   [They] had forfeited their property by their crimes.
   Burke.
   
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   Undone and forfeited to cares forever!
   Shak.
   
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4.       
   Forfeit, v. i.
   To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress. [Obs.]
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   To fail to keep an obligation. [Obs.]
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   I will have the heart of him if he forfeit.
   Shak.
   
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5.       
   Forfeit, p. p. or a. In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
   Shak.
   
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   Once more I will renew
   His lapsèd powers, though forfeite.
   Milton.
   
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