forfeit

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty
  2. noun a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something
  3. noun the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

Etymology

From Middle English forfait from ca. 1300, from Old French forfait (“crime”), originally the past participle of forfaire (“to transgress”), and Medieval Latin foris factum. During the 15th century, the sense shifted from the crime to the penalty for the crime.

In classic literature

Synonyms

forfeiture

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