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forfeit (n.)

late 14c., forfet, "misdeed, offense against established authority," also "something to which the right is lost through a misdeed," from Old French forfet, forfait "crime, punishable offense" (12c.), originally past participle of forfaire "transgress," from for- "outside, beyond" (from Latin foris; see foreign) + faire "to do" (from Latin facere "to make, do," from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). A French version of Medieval Latin foris factum; the notion perhaps is to "do too much, go beyond (what is right)." As an adjective from late 14c., from Old French forfait. Compare foreclose.

forfeit (v.)

mid-14c., " transgress, offend, misbehave;" late 14c., "to lose by misconduct," from forfeit (n.) or from Anglo-French forfet, Old French forfait, past participle of forfaire. Related: Forfeited; forfeits; forfeiting.

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Definitions of forfeit from WordNet
1
forfeit (n.)
something that is lost or surrendered as a penalty;
Synonyms: forfeiture
forfeit (n.)
a penalty for a fault or mistake that involves losing or giving up something;
the contract specified forfeits if the work was not completed on time
Synonyms: forfeiture
forfeit (n.)
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.;
Synonyms: forfeiture / sacrifice
2
forfeit (v.)
lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime;
you've forfeited your right to name your successor
forfeited property
Synonyms: give up / throw overboard / waive / forgo / forego
3
forfeit (adj.)
surrendered as a penalty;
Synonyms: confiscate / forfeited
From wordnet.princeton.edu