forfeitn.
/ˈfɔːfᵻt/, U.S. /ˈfɔrfət/ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > wrongful deed > [noun]
misdeedeOE
guilt971
evilOE
follya1275
trespassc1290
errorc1330
illa1340
untetchea1375
offencec1384
crimec1390
forfeit1393
faultc1400
demerit1485
disorder1581
misfeasancea1626
misactiona1667
trespassage1874
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > [noun] > an evil deed > an evil deed, fault, or offence
sinc825
guilt971
man deedOE
evilOE
misbodea1200
follya1275
unthrift1303
misbreydec1380
offencec1384
crimec1390
forfeit1393
felonya1400
faultc1400
misfeatc1400
feat1481
demerit1485
misdemeanoura1513
facta1533
piaculum1575
miscarriage1579
delinquishment1593
delinquency1603
piacle1644
amissness1648
peccancy1648
α.
β. 14.. tr. Burgh Lawis c. 19 in Sc. Acts (1814) I. 336 Gif ony man or ony woman in the burgh be in forfaute of brede or ale [sit in forisfacto de pane vel cervisia]..gif he faltis twyis he sall be chastyte twyis for his forfaute.1572 Lament Lady Scot. in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 253 Thir foirfalts that I haue done reheirs, That lords, lairds, ladys and lawers dois exerce.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 245 That he the forfete of luxure Shall tempre and reule.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 15814 Petre was in hand tane for forfait he had don.
1423 Kingis Quair xcii Thus were thai wrangit that did no forfet.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 51 Ye may frely..ete them wythout ony forfayte.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lv. 79 Men ought wel to kepe hem self fro the forfait of maryage.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. C.iij The Censure..dayly toke hede to the forfaytes done.
1668 W. Temple Let. to Ld. Arlington in Wks. (1731) II. 90 No..Corruption of Ministers, can preserve them long from paying what they owe to any Forfeits of their Duty.
2.
a. Something to which the right is lost by the commission of a crime or fault; hence, a penal fine, a penalty for breach of contract or neglect of duty. to take (the) forfeit of, to pay (the) forfeit (literal and figurative).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun]
witereden688
witec890
guiltwite964
ransom?c1225
amends1340
forfeiture1399
ush1417
recoverya1422
issue1424
unlaw1424
fine1430
forfeita1475
unlay1497
multure1533
estreatc1550
mulct1584
forfeitment1597
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 577 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 318 Of þe lordes courtes and forfetis.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cxcix. 179 They taken the goodes..and lete hem calle his forfaytz.
1538 A. Fitzherbert Newe Bk. Justyces Peas 38 b The forfayt therof is al the pewter and brasse so cast and wrought.
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions i. v. 70 The forfect for non paiment of the lone.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 204 I craue the law, the penalty and forfaite of my bond. View more context for this quotation
1640 J. Fletcher & J. Shirley Night-walker iv. sig. H4 Thou hast undone a faithfull gentleman, By taking forfeit of his land.
1713 E. Young Force of Relig. ii. (1757) 62 Life is a forfeit we must shortly pay.
1843 C. J. Lever Jack Hinton xviii To be free of the transaction, I this morning offered to pay half forfeit.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. viii. 543 The forfeit incurred by many of those illustrious thinkers who [etc.].
b. transferred of a person.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 159 Claudio..is no greater forfeit to the Law, then Angelo. View more context for this quotation
3. A trivial mulct or fine imposed, e.g., for breach of some rule or by-law in a tavern parlour, a club, etc. Also, in certain games, an article (usually something carried on the person) which a player gives up by way of penalty for making some mistake, and which he afterwards redeems by performing some ludicrous task.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > for breach of rule in club, tavern, etc.
forfeita1616
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > forfeit games > forfeit
forfeita1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 318 The strong Statutes Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop, As much in mocke, as marke. View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. x. 395 No more than the forfeits in a barbers shop, where a Gentlemans pleasure is all the obligation to pay.
1661 S. Pepys Diary 4 Feb. (1970) II. 30 And here I took pleasure to take the forfeits of the ladies.
1716 J. Gay Trivia ii. 32 The..Wits shall frequent Forfeits pay.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. ii. 13 Walking out, drinking tea, country dances, and forfeits, shortened the rest of the day.
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. xxi. 317 We played the game boldly, and the forfeit shall be paid. View more context for this quotation
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxviii. 297 We..while away the time with forfeits and old stories.
1865 J. Hatton Bitter Sweets xxxii In the games of forfeit, he played his part.
4. [ < forfeit v.] The losing of something by way of penalty: = forfeiture n. to set to forfalt (Scots Law): to attaint, outlaw.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > forfeiture
forfeiture1389
forfeit1393
forfaultryc1565
society > authority > punishment > fine > [adjective] > that is or can be lost as penalty
forfeit1393
forfeit1393
forfeitable1467
penal1623
α.
β. c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. xiii. xv. f. 198/2 Eftir his forfalt, the constabillary wes geuyn to the Hayis of Arroll.1570 G. Buchanan Chamæleon in Vernac. Writings (1892) 46 Ye parliament set to forfalt sic lordis as had fled in Ingland.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 177 To give..and to withdrawe The forfet of a mannes life.
1423 Kingis Quair cxxix Vertu sall be the cause of thy forfet.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 209 I will be bound to pay it..on forfait of my hands, my head, my hart. View more context for this quotation
1644 J. Milton Of Educ. 1 You would to the forfeit of your own discerning ability, impose upon me [etc.].
1645 J. Milton On Christ's Nativity: Hymn i, in Poems 1 That he our deadly forfeit should release.
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 22 Aug. (1965) I. 255 Debts..they could clear no other way but by the forfeit of their Honnour.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
forfeitadj.
/ˈfɔːfᵻt/, U.S. /ˈfɔrfət/ That has been lost or has to be given up as the penalty of a crime or fault or breach of engagement. Const. †till, to, unto.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [adjective] > that is or can be lost as penalty
forfeit1393
forfeit1393
forfeitable1467
penal1623
α.
β. 1423 Kingis Quair cxli All though my lyf suld forfaut be therefore.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 194 That ye this thing no lenger let, So that your life be nought forfete.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) vii. l. 2272 Haile he tuk in til echete, As þai had fallyn til hym forfet.
1538 A. Fitzherbert Newe Bk. Justyces Peas 38 b The value of them is forfayt, halfe to the fyndours or serchers therof.
1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 5 in Jewell House Forfeit and confiscate vnto the Crowne.
1608 G. Markham & L. Machin Dumbe Knight v. sig. I4 This monster..Whose forfait life is witnesse to his shame.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. iii. 195 His braines are forfeite to the next tile that fals. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 144 And his long Toils were forfeit for a Look. View more context for this quotation
1735 W. Somervile Chace iii. 63 Behold the just Avenger, swift to seize His forfeit Head.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. ix. 571 These have half redeemed his forfeit fame.
1859 W. E. Gladstone tr. Horace Odes iii. ix My forfeit life I'll freely give, So she, my better life, may live.
1867 R. W. Emerson May-day & Other Pieces 11 The wish..To tread the forfeit Paradise.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
forfeitv.
/ˈfɔːfᵻt/, U.S. /ˈfɔrfət/ a. intransitive. To do amiss, sin, transgress. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > [verb (intransitive)]
guiltc825
misdoOE
misfereOE
misnimc1225
trespass1303
forfeita1325
misguiltc1330
misworka1375
transverse1377
offendc1384
mistakec1390
faulta1400
commit1449
misprize1485
digress1541
transgress1662
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > do evil or wrong [verb (intransitive)] > transgress or offend
guiltc825
sinc825
to break a bruchec1225
trespass1303
forfeita1325
folly1357
misworka1375
transverse1377
offendc1384
mistakec1390
faulta1400
commit1449
misprize1485
transgress1526
digress1541
misdeal1573
to commit (also do, make) an offence1841
overstep1931
a1325 Prose Psalter cxviii[i]. 119 Ich told alle the sinȝers of erthe for-fetand [L. prævaricantes.]
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋199 And al this suffred Ihesu crist þat neuere forfeted.
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) i. li. 91 They forfete hyghely ayenst the fyrst commaundement.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxxvii. sig. Tvv Ye saye yt she hath forfeyte with this knight, for he can not forfeyte with he, but yt she must be accorded with him.
b. transitive. To transgress against, violate (one's faith or oath). rare. [So Old French forfaire : but there is an admixture of sense 2.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (transitive)]
breakOE
to-breaka1067
false1303
forleta1325
loosec1400
to fall from ——a1425
renouncec1450
violate?a1475
enfrain1477
failc1500
falsify1532
transverse1532
infringe1533
crack1576
recess1581
recant1585
digress1592
strain1592
burst1600
equivocate1629
falsy1629
forfeit1654
to break through1712
infract1798
waive1833
welsh1925
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 28 Having known you so notoriously to forfeit your Faith.
1800 tr. Invisible Man II. 208 You have received my oath; I am incapable of forfeiting it.
2. transitive. To lose, lose the right to; to render oneself liable to be deprived of (something); also, to have to pay (a sum of money) in consequence of a crime, offence, breach of duty, or engagement. Const. to (the receiver).
a. in a strictly legal sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > lose [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > by one's own fault
forworkOE
forguiltc1175
forgremec1200
forsit?a1400
forfeit1466
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)] > pay fine
finec1325
forfeit1466
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > be morally improper for [verb (transitive)] > lose the right to
forfeit1466
α.
β. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 75 That ather..suld..forfalt all in the kingis hand.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 13 They sall tine and forfalt all their cattell.1688 Ess. Magistracy in Harl. Misc. I. 5 Whoever goes about to subvert it..forefaults his own title.1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 339 Such..should for that time forfault their part in the settlement of a parish.1466 in Manners & Househ. Expenses Eng. (1841) 176 They schal kontente me fore my parte of skenes that were foffetede, iiij. li.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 152 Neither he, ne yet his parentes, can forsake their prince, vpon any colour without forfaiting more than a quarters scholehire.
1663 A. Marvell Let. 14 Apr. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 35 The house adjournd till Wednesday fortnight..every one absent to forfeit fiue pounds.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 286 Not my Life only, but Effects too..were all..forfeited to the English Government.
1827 T. Jarman Powell's Ess. Learning of Devises (ed. 3) II. 261 The Court held the estate not to be forfeited by non-performance.
1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne i. 15 You forget what you forfeit, if you have your indentures broke.
b. gen. To lose by misconduct.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > lose [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > by one's own fault > by misconduct
forfeitc1400
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 638 Oure forme-fader hit con forfete Þurȝ an apple.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4450 To forfet þat faire place & offense make.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xxiv. 840/2 Wee had forfaited it [sc. Calais], so that wee could enter into no other Article of peace.
1770 E. Burke Thoughts Present Discontents 55 The first franchise of an Englishman..is to be forfeited for some offence which no man knows.
1847 R. W. Hamilton Rewards & Punishm. (1853) vi. 263 The angels forefeited all happiness..when they sinned.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate III. iii. 69 He had done nothing to forfeit her love.
c. In wider sense: To lose or give up, as a necessary consequence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > lose [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > as a necessary consequence
forfeit?a1400
escheatc1530
?a1400 Morte Arth. 437 Are I be fechyde wyth force, or forfette my landes.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 197 But shall we therefore forfet our knowledge because some men cannot conteine their lewd and inordinate affections?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. iii. 27 So should wee saue a valiant Gentleman, By forfeyting a Traitor and a Coward. View more context for this quotation
1802 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 8 389 Nor can any one regulate his professional conduct by it, without forfeiting all claim to consistency.
1850 R. W. Emerson Montaigne in Representative Men iv. 181 The moral sentiment..never forfeits its supremacy.
1871 G. H. Napheys Prevention & Cure Dis. i. viii. 231 The liquid forfeits part of its strength on exposure to the air.
d. absol. or intransitive. To incur the penalty of forfeiture or (obsolete) confiscation.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (intransitive)] > incur a fine
to be in mercyc1325
finec1325
to lose (= incur) a fine1498
forfeit1727
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 91 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. It shall be reckon'd a neglect of her Business, and she shall forfeit accordingly.
a1753 P. Drake Memoirs (1755) I. i. 2 The Family remained in peaceable Possession of this Estate..until the War..when..they forfeited, and were driven to shift for themselves.
3. Of the executive power:
a. To subject (land, etc.) to forfeiture; to confiscate. Obsolete exc. Historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [verb (transitive)] > confiscate or sequestrate to state
forfeitc1384
cheatc1440
confisk1474
sequestera1513
confiscatea1533
publish1533
sequestrate1640
inbring1752
α.
β. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 499 All his land was sesit, and forfalt [1489 Adv. forfaut] to the kyng.a1834 R. Surtees in J. Raine Taylor's Mem. R. Surtees (1852) 246 If thou wilt not ride with us, Yet shall thy lands forfaulted be.1895 S. R. Crockett Men of Moss-hags 163 As for Earlstoun, we heard it was to be forfaulted very soon.c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. ii. 5 Ȝour housis shuln be maad commoun, or forfetid [L. publicabuntur].
1611 Bible (King James) Ezra x. 8 All his substance should be forfeited . View more context for this quotation
1700 J. Dryden Fables Pref. sig. *Aij Let them be stav'd or forfeited, like Counterbanded Goods.
b. Chiefly Scottish. To subject (a person) to forfeiture or confiscation (of estates, etc.); to confiscate the estates of. Obsolete exc. Historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [verb (transitive)] > confiscate or sequestrate to state > deprive by confiscation or forfeiture
forfeit?a1400
forjudgec1470
confisk1579
confiscatea1618
peculiate1656
α.
β. 1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 637 The Thane of Calder for tressoun and cryme Forfaltit wes.1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. iii. 201 Quha did forfault him of his land and rent.c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 44 The Regent..causit forfalt the Lord Fleyming.a1698 W. Row Suppl. in R. Blair Life (1848) (modernized text) xi. 350 The Parliament did for~fault all those that were upon that jury.a1754 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. (1755) IV. 284 The Scotch parliament..forefaulted general Ruthven for refusing to surrender the castle of Edinburgh.?a1400 Morte Arth. 1155 We mone be forfetede in faith, and flemyde for ever!
1565 Earl of Bedford in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 209 That the Earles..sholde have byne forfited yf the kinge coulde not be perswaded.
a1649 W. Drummond Wks. (1711) 177 Whether it be lawful to proscribe and forfeit Country-men.
1707 Duke of Athol in Vulpone 20 It is the height of Injustice..to forfeit any Person without a Hainous Crime.
1830 W. Scott Old Mortality xxi, in Tales of my Landlord (new ed.) II. 315 With the purpose of forfeiting and fining such men of property whom [etc.].
1862 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. (ed. 3) xv. 236 Seventy individuals..were forfeited for their adherence to the King.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)]
mulct?a1475
gersum1483
unlaw1508
finea1513
check1526
to be put to one's fine1542
punish1552
forfeitc1592
tinsel1609
sconce1641
physic1821
to fix (a person) with liability1833
log1889
c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta ii. ii With extorting, cozening, forfeiting, I fill'd the jails with bankrouts.
1736 H. Fielding Pasquin i. 13 I dare not go into the Green-Room;..I shall be forfeited if I go in there.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > lose [verb (transitive)] > cause loss of
lose1428
tine?a1500
leese1550
forfeit1619
α.
β. 1639 W. Balcanquhall Large Declar. Tumults Scotl. 361 Albeit..,yet that doth not..forefault the Kirks right.1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Maides Trag. iv. sig. G4 Such another Forgetfulnesse forfits your life.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. i. i. 7 Outrage unpunish'd when a Prince is by, Forfeits to scorn the rights of Majesty.
1673 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 62 Any Practice of this kind would immediately forfeit their commands.
1679 L. Addison First State Mahumedism 29 This had utterly forfeited him the reputation of a Prophet.
1705 W. Wycherley Let. 25 Jan. in A. Pope Wks. (1737) V. 4 Your good wit never forfeited your good judgment but in your partiality to me and mine.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1393
adj.1393
v.a1325