/
ˈfɔːfɪt/
v.
(forfeits, forfeiting, forfeited)
lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing.
▸lose or give up as a necessary consequence:
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she forfeited another hour in bed to muck out the horses.
n.
a fine or penalty for wrongdoing.
▸Law a forfeited item of property, right, or privilege.
▸
(forfeits)
[treated as sing.]
a game in which trivial penalties are exacted for minor misdemeanours.
adj.
lost or surrendered as a forfeit.
Derivative
- forfeitable adj.
- forfeiter n.
- forfeiture n.
Etymology
ME (orig. denoting a crime or transgression): from OFr. forfet, forfait, forfaire ‘transgress’, from for- ‘out’ + faire ‘do’.
