▪ I. forfeit, n.
(ˈfɔːfɪt)
Forms: α. 4–5 forfet(t(e, (4–5 furfatt, -fet, 6 forfect, forefaicte), 4–6 forfaite, -ayt(te, -eite, -ete, -eyte, 6– forfeit. β. Sc. 6 foir-, forfalt, -fault, 7 forfaute.
[a. OF. forfet, forfait:—med.L. foris factum trespass, fine, neut. pa. pple. of foris facĕre to transgress, f. foris outside (see for- prefix3) + facĕre to do. The Sc. forms βare corrupted by assimilation to fault or default.]
† 1. A misdeed, crime, offence, transgression; hence, wilful injury. Also with of: Transgression against or in respect of, breach or violation of. Obs.
in forfault (Sc. Law): under charge of wrong doing, guilty of breaking the law. (Jam.)
| α a 1300 Cursor M. 15814 (Cott.) Petre was in hand nummen for forfait he had don. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 245 That he the forfete of luxure Shall tempre and reule. 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Q. xcii, Thus were thai wrangit that did no forfet. 1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 53 Ye may frely..ete them wythoute ony forfayte. 1483 ― G. de la Tour E v, Men ought wel to kepe hem self fro the forfait of maryage. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) C iij, The Censure..dayly toke hede to the forfaytes done. 1668 Temple Let. to Ld. Arlington Wks. 1731 II. 90 No..Corruption of Ministers, can preserve them long from paying what they owe to any Forfeits of their Duty. |
| 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. 373 in Scot. Poems 16th C. (1801) II. 253 Thir foirfalts that I haue done reheirs, That lords, lairds, ladys and lawers dois exerce. |
2. 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. Phr. to take (the) forfeit of, to pay (the) forfeit (lit. and fig.).
| c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 577 in Babees Bk. (1868) 318 Of þe lordes courtes and forfetis. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. cxcix. 179 They taken the goodes..and lete hem calle his forfaytz. 1538 Fitzherb. Just. Peas 38 b, The forfayt therof is al the pewter and brasse so cast and wrought. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions i. v. 70 The forfect for non paiment of the lone. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 207, I craue the Law, The penaltie and forfeite of my bond. 1625 Fletcher & Shirley Nt. Walker iv, Thou hast undone a faithful Gentleman, By taking forfeit of his Land. 1713 Young Force Relig. ii. (1757) 62 Life is a forfeit we must shortly pay. 1843 Lever J. Hinton xviii, To be free of the transaction, I this morning offered to pay half forfeit. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. viii. 543 The forfeit incurred by many of those illustrious thinkers who [etc.]. |
b. transf. of a person.
| 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. ii. 167 Claudio..is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo. |
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.
| 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. v. 323 The strong Statutes Stand like the forfeites in a Barbers shop, As much in mocke, as marke. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. v. x. 395 No more than the forfeits in a barbers shop, where a Gentle⁓mans pleasure is all the obligation to pay. 1660–1 Pepys Diary 4 Feb., And here I took pleasure to take forfeits of the ladies. 1714 Gay Trivia ii. 175 The..Wits shall frequent Forfeits pay. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. ii, Walking out, drinking tea, country dances, and forfeits, shortened the rest of the day. 1814 Scott Wav. lxix, We played the game boldly, and the forfeit shall be paid. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxviii, We..beguile the time with forfeits and old stories. 1865 J. Hatton Bitter Sweets xxxii, In the games of forfeit, he played his part. |
4. [from the vb.] The losing of something by way of penalty: = forfeiture.
to set to forfalt (Sc. Law): to attaint, outlaw.
| α 1393 Gower Conf. III. 177 To give..and to withdrawe The forfet of a mannes life. 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Q. cxxix, Vertu sall be the cause of thy forfet. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 212, I will be bound to pay it..On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart. 1629 Milton Nativity i, That he our deadly forfeit should release. 1644 ― Educ. Wks. (1847) 98/1 You would to the forfeit of your own discerning ability, impose on me [etc.]. 1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C'tess Bristol 22 Aug., Debts..they could clear no other way but by the forfeit of their honour. |
| β 1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. xiii. xv, Eftir his forfalt, the constabillary wes geuyn to the Hayis of Arroll. 1570 Buchanan Chamæleon Wks. (1892) 46 Y⊇ parliament set to forfalt sic lordis as had fled in Ingland. |
▪ II. forfeit, a.
(ˈfɒfɪt)
Forms: see prec.
[ad. OF. forfait, pa. pple. of forfaire:—late L. forisfacĕre: see prec. In early use serving as pa. pple. of next.]
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.
| α 1393 Gower Conf. I. 194 That ye this thing no lenger let, So that your life be nought forfete. 1425 Wyntoun Cron. vii. viii. 716 Hale he tuk in-til Ethchet As þai had fallyne til hym forfet. 1538 Fitzherb. Just. Peas (1514) 38 b, The value of them is forfayt, halfe to the fyndours or serchers therof. 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. i. 5 Forfeit and confiscate vnto the crowne. 1601 Shakes. All's Well iv. iii. 216 His braines are forfeite to the next tile that fals. 1608 Markham & Machin Dumb Knight v. i, This monster..Whose forfait life is witnesse to his shame. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 711 And his long Toils were forfeit for a Look. 1735 Somerville Chase iii. 63 Behold the just Avenger, swift to seize His forfeit Head. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) II. ix. 110 These have half redeemed his forfeit fame. 1847 Emerson Poems (1857) 43 The wish To tread the forfeit Paradise. 1859 Gladstone Horace's Odes iii. ix, My forfeit life I'll freely give, So she, my better life, may live. |
| β 1423 Jas. I. Kingis Q. cxli, All though my lyf suld forfaut be therefore. |
▪ III. forfeit, v.
(ˈfɔːfɪt)
Forms: α. Infin. 4–6 forfet(e(n, -yn, 5–6 -fett(e, (5 foffet), 5–7 forfait(e, 5–6 -fayt(te, -feyt, (5 -fite, 6 -fyt, -fect, -feict), 6 Sc. forfat, -fit, 6– forfeit. pa. tense and pa. pple. -ed. Also pa. tense 5 forfett(e; pa. pple. 4–5 forfet(e, 6 -feyte (see forfeit a.). β. Sc. 4–7 forfalt, 6–9 forfault, 7–9 forefault; pa. pple. 4 forfalt, 5 forfaut.
[f. prec. n.]
† 1. intr. To do amiss, sin, transgress. Obs.
| a 1325 Prose Psalter cxviii[i]. 119 Ich told alle the sinȝers of erthe for-fetand [L. prævaricantes.] c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶199 And al this suffred Ihesu crist þat neuere forfeted. 1496 Dives & Paup. (W. de W.) i. li. 91 They forfete hyghely ayenst the fyrst commaundement. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 348 Ye saye y{supt} she hath forfeyte with this knight; for he can not forfeyte with her, but y{supt} she must be accorded with him. |
b. trans. To transgress against, violate (one's faith or oath). rare.
[So OF. forfaire: but there is an admixture of sense 2.]
| 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 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. trans. 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.
| α 1466 Mann. & Househ. Exp. 176 They schal kontente me fore my parte of skenes that were foffetede, iiij. li. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. (1887) 152 Neither he, ne yet his parentes, can forsake their prince, vpon any colour without forfaiting more than a quarters scholehire. 1663 Marvell Corr. xl. Wks. 1872–5 II. 88 The House adjournd till Wednesday fortnight..every one absent to forfeit five pounds. 1723 De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 242 My life and effects were all forfeited to the English government. 1827 Jarman Powell's Devises 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. |
| β 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 75 That ather..suld..forfalt all in the kingis hand. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 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 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 339 Such..should for that time forfault their part in the settlement of a parish. |
b. gen. To lose by misconduct.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 638 Oure forme-fader hit con forfete Þurȝ an apple. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4450 To forfet þat faire place & offense make. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xxiv. (1632) 1147 Wee had..forfaited it [Calais] so that wee could enter into no other Article of peace. 1770 Burke Pres. Discont. Wks. 1808 II. 303 The first franchise of an Englishman..is to be forfeited for some offence which no man knows. 1847 Hamilton Rew. & Pun. vi. (1853) 263 The angels forefeited all happiness..when they sinned. 1865 Trollope Belton Est. xxv. 298 He had done nothing to forfeit her love. |
c. In wider sense: To lose or give up, as a necessary consequence.
| ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 437 Are I be fechyde wyth force, or forfette my landes. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iv. iii. 27 So should we save a valiant gentleman, By forfeiting a traitor and a coward. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 197 But shall we therefore forfet our knowledge because some men cannot conteine their lewd and inordinate affections? 1802 Med. Jrnl. 389 Nor can any one regulate his professional conduct by it, without forfeiting all claim to consistency. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men, Montaigne Wks. (Bohn) I. 350 The moral sentiment..never forfeits its supremacy. 1871 G. H. Napheys Prev. & Cure Dis. i. viii. 231 The liquid forfeits part of its strength on exposure to the air. |
d. absol. or intr. To incur the penalty of forfeiture or (obs.) confiscation.
| 1727 Pope, etc. Art of Sinking 124 It shall be reckoned a neglect of her business, and she shall forfeit accordingly. 1755 Mem. Capt. P. Drake 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. Obs. exc. Hist.
| α 1382 Wyclif Dan. ii. 5 Your housis shuln be maad commoun, or forfetid [Vulg. publicabuntur]. 1611 Bible Ezra x. 8 All his substance should be forfeited. 1700 Dryden Pref. Fables (Globe) 495 Let them be staved or forfeited, like counterbanded goods. |
| β 1375 Barbour Bruce xiii. 499 All his land was sesit, and forfalt to the kyng. a 1834 Surtees Poem in Taylor Life (Surtees) 246 If thou wilt not ride with us, Yet shall thy lands forfaulted be. 1895 Crockett Mosshaggs 163 As for Earlstoun, we heard it was to be forfaulted very soon. |
b. Chiefly Sc. To subject (a person) to forfeiture or confiscation (of estates, etc.); to confiscate the estates of. Obs. exc. Hist.
| α ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 1155 We mone be forfetede in faith, and flemyde for ever! 1565 Earl of Bedford in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. II. 209 That the Earles..sholde have byne forfited yf the kinge coulde not be perswaded. 1639 Drummond of Hawthornden Queries of State 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. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xxix, With the purpose of forfeiting and fining such men of property whom [etc.]. 1862 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const. xv. 236 Seventy individuals..were forfeited for their adherence to the King. |
| β 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 637 The Thane of Calder for tressoun and cryme Forfaltit wes. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform. iii. 201 Quha did forfault him of his land and rent. 1582–8 Hist. James VI (1804) 71 The regent..causit forfalt my Lord Fleyming. 1676 W. Row Contn. Blair's Autobiog. xi. (1848) 350 The Parliament did for⁓fault all those that were upon that jury. 1755 Carte Hist. Eng. IV. 284 The Scotch parliament..forefaulted general Ruthven for refusing to surrender the castle of Edinburgh. |
† 4. To exact a forfeit or fine from. Also absol.
| c 1592 Marlowe Jew of Malta ii. ii, With extorting, cozening, forfeiting, I fill'd the jails with bankrouts. 1736 Fielding Pasquin 1, I dare not go into the Green-room; I shall be forfeited if I go in there. |
† 5. To cause the forfeiture, loss, or ruin of. Obs.
| α a 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Maid's Trag. iv. i, Such another forgetfulness Forfeits your life. 1670 Dryden Conq. Granada i. i, Outrage unpunish'd when a Prince is by, Forfeits to Scorn the Rights of Majesty. 1673 Essex Papers (Camden) I. 62 Any Practice of this kind would immediately forfeit their commands. 1679 L. Addison Mahumedism 29 This had utterly forfeited him the reputation of a Prophet. 1704–5 Wycherley Let. to Pope 25 Jan. in Pope's Wks. (1737) V. 4 Your good wit never forfeited your good judgment but in your partiality to me and mine. |
| β 1639 Chas. I. Declar. Tumults Scot. Wks. 361 Albeit..yet that doth not..forefault the Kirk's right. |