Definition of forfeit
1 : something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty They were required to pay a forfeit.
2 : forfeiture especially of civil rights
3a : something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fineb forfeits plural : a game in which forfeits are exacted
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Examples of forfeit in a Sentence
the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000
forfeit
Definition of forfeit
forfeiter
nounExamples of forfeit in a Sentence
He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.
They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.
Origin and Etymology of forfeit
see 1forfeit
First Known Use: 14th century
Origin and Etymology of forfeit
see 1forfeit
First Known Use: 14th century
FORFEIT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of forfeit for English Language Learners
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: something that is lost or given up as punishment or because of a rule or law
forfeit
Definition of forfeit for English Language Learners
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: to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law
forfeit
Definition of forfeit for English Language Learners
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: given up or taken away as a punishment or because of a rule or law
FORFEIT Defined for Kids
Definition of forfeit for Students
forfeited
;forfeiting
: to lose or lose the right to as punishment for a fault, error, or crime “If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!” said Harry. — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets
Definition of forfeit for Students
: something or the right to something lost as punishment for a fault, error, or crime
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of forfeit
: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited
Origin and Etymology of forfeit
Anglo-French, from Middle French forfait, past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, from fors outside + faire to do
forfeit
Legal Definition of forfeit
1 : to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity — U.S. Code
2 : to subject to forfeiture it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the same — Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)
forfeitability
\ˌfȯr-fə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ nounforfeitable
adjectiveforfeit
Legal Definition of forfeit
: forfeited or subject to forfeiture
Learn More about forfeit
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for forfeit Spanish Central: Translation of forfeit Nglish: Translation of forfeit for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of forfeit for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about forfeit
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