Definitions for forfeitˈfɔr fɪt

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

for•feitˈfɔr fɪt(n.)

a fine; penalty.
an act of forfeiting; forfeiture.
something to which the right is lost, as for commission of a crime or violation of a contract.
an article deposited in a game because of a mistake and redeemable by a fine or penalty.
Category: Games
forfeits, (used with a sing. v.) a game in which such articles are taken.
Category: Games
(v.t.)to subject to seizure as a forfeit.
to lose or become liable to lose, as in consequence of crime or breach of engagement.
(adj.)lost or subject to loss by forfeiture.

Origin of forfeit:

1250–1300; ME forfet < OF, ptp. of forfaire to commit a crime, to lose possession or right through a criminal act < ML forīs facere to transgress = L foris outside + facere to make, do1

for′feit•er(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

forfeit, forfeiture(noun)
something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;
forfeit, forfeiture(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"
forfeit, forfeiture, sacrifice(adj)
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
confiscate, forfeit, forfeited(verb)
surrendered as a penalty
forfeit, give up, throw overboard, waive, forgo, forego(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"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

forfeit(verb)ˈfɔr fɪt
to be made to give up sth for not following rules
Employees will forfeit any unused vacation allowance.

Wiktionary

forfeit(Noun)
a penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor
forfeit(Verb)
To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance
He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate.
forfeit(Verb)
To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules
Because only nine players were present, the football team was forced to forfeit the game.

Origin: Middle English from ca. 1300, from Old French forfait "crime", originally the past participle of forfaire "transgress", ad Middle Latin foris factum. During the 15th century, the sense shifted from the crime to the penalty for the crime.

Webster Dictionary

Forfeit(noun)
injury; wrong; mischief
Forfeit(noun)
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
Forfeit(noun)
something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits
Forfeit(noun)
lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure
Forfeit(noun)
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
Forfeit(verb)
to be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress
Forfeit(verb)
to fail to keep an obligation
Forfeit(u)
in the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation