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forfeit - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'forfeit' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Forfeit [ n.]
- Injury; wrong; mischief.
- 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.
- Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits.
- Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
- 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.
2 . Forfeit [ p. p. / a.]
- In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
3 . Forfeit [ v. i.]
- To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
- To fail to keep an obligation.

Meaning of 'forfeit' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . forfeit [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something
Example in sentence:
  • the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time
2 . forfeit [ v]
Meaning (2):
- lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
Example in sentence:
  • forfeited property;
  • you've forfeited your right to name your successor

Nearby Words:

for for- fora forage foraged forager foraging foralite foramen foramina

See 'forfeit' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • Nonforfeiture law
    Nonforfeiture law is a state law requiring insurance companies to provide at least a minimum nonforfeiture value to policyholders who

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