Practice Forfeit with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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Criminal Justice and Penalties

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Middle School 15

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Punishment and Enforcement

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forfeit

Forfeit (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

verb

IPA:

/ˈfɔːfɪt/

What does forfeit mean?

To give up something, such as property, rights, or privileges, as a penalty for breaking a rule or law.
"The team had to forfeit the game due to lack of players."

Detailed Meaning of Forfeit

It can also refer to something that is lost or taken away as a result of a failure to meet an obligation or condition. The term can be used in various contexts, such as legal, sports, and games. In a legal context, it refers to the act of losing property, rights or privileges as a penalty imposed by a court of law. In sports and games, it refers to losing a game or match as a penalty for breaking the rules or not meeting the conditions set by the game. In general, forfeit implies a loss of something, usually as a penalty for breaking a rule or not meeting an obligation.

Example Sentences for Forfeit

1. He had to forfeit his prize for cheating in the competition.
2. The team had to forfeit the game due to a lack of players.
3. Failure to pay the fine may lead to forfeiture of your property.
4. They had to forfeit their membership for violating the club rules.
5. He chose to forfeit his inheritance to pursue his passion.
6. The athlete may have to forfeit the match for doping.

Origin and Etymology of Forfeit

The verb 'forfeit' has its etymological origins in Old French, where it was derived from the word 'forfet,' which meant 'crime' or 'offense.' This Old French term was itself influenced by the Latin word 'forisfactus,' which is the past participle of 'forisfacere,' combining 'foris,' meaning 'outside,' and 'facere,' meaning 'to do' or 'to make.' The etymology of 'forfeit' thus reflects the idea of doing something outside or beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable, leading to a penalty or loss. In the context of the verb, 'forfeit' means to give up something, such as property, rights, or privileges, as a penalty for breaking a rule or law, emphasizing the consequence of one's actions that go against established norms or regulations.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb forfeit:

relinquish

retain

keep

hold

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Forfeit

1. Refusing to testify could result in forfeiture of legal rights.
2. If you don't pay on time, you'll forfeit the discount.
3. The defendant may forfeit bail for skipping the court date.
4. Violating the terms of the contract can lead to forfeiture.
5. She decided to forfeit her vacation days for a special project.
6. They had to forfeit their spot in the tournament due to injury.
7. He may forfeit his job if he continues to miss deadlines.
8. Forfeiting your privacy is a consequence of fame.
9. They may forfeit custody rights after a court decision.
10. The team had to forfeit their lead in the final moments.
11. Failing to appear in court can result in bail forfeiture.
12. He had to forfeit his passport during the investigation.
13. The debtor may forfeit assets to settle the debt.
14. The landlord could forfeit the security deposit for damages.
15. He had to forfeit the prize due to breaking the rules.
16. The company had to forfeit the contract due to not meeting the deadline.
17. She had to forfeit her deposit as she broke the terms of the lease.
18. The driver had to forfeit his license due to repeated traffic violations.
19. He had to forfeit his citizenship as he broke the country's laws.
20. The team had to forfeit the match due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
21. She had to forfeit her wages as she did not fulfill her duties.
22. The company had to forfeit the money as they did not deliver the goods.
23. The player had to forfeit the match as he was caught using performance-enhancing drugs.
24. He had to forfeit his position as the president of the company due to misconduct.
25. The company had to forfeit the project as they failed to meet the safety standards.