Forfeit Meaning
/ˈfɔː.fɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
nounA thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.
Sentence Examples
His health was the forfeit of heavy drinking.
The team had to forfeit the match due to lack of players.
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you break the rules, you will ____ your right to play.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The team had to ____ the match because half of their players were out with the flu.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English forfait from ca. 1300, from Old French forfait (“crime”), originally the past participle of forfaire (“to transgress”), and Medieval Latin foris factum. During the 15th century, the sense shifted from the crime to the penalty for the crime.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"That he our deadly forfeit should release"
— 1629, John Milton, On the Morning of Christ's Nativity:
"Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal / Remit thy other forfeits."
— c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day."
— 1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC:
"I will have the heart of him if he forfeit."
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
"After the raid on USPV, Plaintiffs filed claims with the FBI seeking return of their seized property. The government did not return the property in response to these claims; instead, it indicated that it was seeking to forfeit the property."
— 2024 January 23, Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr., Snitko v. United States, archived from the original on 24 Jan 2024:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you break the rules, you will ____ your right to play.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The team had to ____ the match because half of their players were out with the flu.