For"feit , p. p.
or a. In the condition of being forfeited; subject to alienation.
Shak.
Once more I will renew
His lapsèd powers, though
forfeite.
Milton.
For"feit , v. i. 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.
For"feit , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Forfeited;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Forfeiting.]
[OE. forfeten. See Forfeit, n.]
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.
For"feit , a. [F. forfait, p. p. of forfaire. See Forfeit, n.]
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.
For"feit (?), n. [OE.
forfet crime, penalty, F. forfait crime (LL. forefactum, forifactum), prop. p. p. of forfaire to forfeit, transgress, fr.
LL. forifacere, prop., to
act beyond; L. foris out of doors, abroad, beyond + facere to do. See Foreign, and Fact.]
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.
Hear it pronounced