forfeit (redirected from forfeits)

To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a particular act. To lose a franchise, estate, or other property, as provided by the applicable law, due to Negligence, misfeasance, or omission.

This nonconsensual deprivation transfers the property to another person or restores it to the original grantor.

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forfeit v. to lose property or rights involuntary as a penalty for violation of law. Example: the government can take automobiles or houses which are used for illegal drug trafficking or manufacture. A drug pusher may forfeit his/her car (property) if caught carrying drugs in it and found guilty. A parent may have to forfeit his/her house if his/her daughter is selling drugs from the house, even though the parent had nothing to do with and no knowledge of the drugs. One may have to forfeit one's driver's license or lose driving privileges due to multiple traffic violations or drunk driving. (See: forfeiture)

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forfeit verb abandon, abdicate, abjure, alienate by breach of condition, be deprived of, capitulate, cede, default, deliver up, demit, disgorge, escheat, fail to keep, fail to retain, forgo, forswear, give away, give up, give up claim to, give up the argument, give up the point, incur a loss, let go, let slip, lose, lose an opportunity, lose by breach of condition, lose by default, lose by failure to appear, meet with a loss, part with, put aside, quit, re multari, relinquish, rem amittere, renounce, repudiate, sacrifice, surrender, waive, withdraw, yield
Associated concepts: forfeit a bond, forfeit a deposit, forfeit bail

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See also: abandon, amercement, confiscate, deposit, detriment, discontinue, disfranchise, disinherit, divest, effect, expense, fine, lose, loss, penalize, penalty, sacrifice, surrender, toll