forfeit
/ˈfɔɹ.fɪt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.32 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A 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.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.
Countable; Uncountable
verb
To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance
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
verb
To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
verb
To fail to keep an obligation.
Example Sentences
- "That he our deadly forfeit should release"
- "He who murders pays the forfeit of his own life."
- "Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal / Remit thy other forfeits."
- "Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day."
- "a. 1789, Barry St. Leger, Siege of Nicopolis to seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit"
- "He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate."
Etymology
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈfɔɹ.fɪt/
- British English: /ˈfɔː.fɪt/