Forfeit

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Injury; wrong; mischief. [Obs. & R.] To seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit. Ld. Berners.

2. 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. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits. Shak.

3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; -- whence the game of forfeits. Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day. Goldsmith.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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. [They] had forfeited their property by their crimes. Burke. Undone and forfeited to cares forever! Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress. [Obs.]

2. To fail to keep an obligation. [Obs.] I will have the heart of him if he forfeit. Shak.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure. Thy wealth being forfeit to the state. Shak. To tread the forfeit paradise. Emerson.

Part of speech: participle (p.)

In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation. Shak. Once more I will renew His lapsèd powers, though forfeite. Milton.