different between forfeits vs forfeit

English

Noun

forfeits

1. plural of forfeit

Noun

forfeits (uncountable)

1. A game in which forfeits are demanded.

Verb

forfeits

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of forfeit

English

Etymology

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.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f??.f?t/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?f??.f?t/
• Rhymes: -??(?)f?t

Noun

forfeit (countable and uncountable, plural forfeits)

1. A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
   • 1629, John Milton, On the Morning of Christ's Nativity

     That he our deadly forfeit should release

2. A thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.

   He who murders pays the forfeit of his own life.
3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.

   • Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day.

4. (obsolete, rare) Injury; wrong; mischief.
   • a. 1789, Barry St. Leger, Siege of Nicopolis

     to seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit

Translations

Verb

forfeit (third-person singular simple present forfeits, present participle forfeiting, simple past and past participle forfeited or (rare) forfeit)

1. To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance

   He forfeited his last chance of an early release from jail by repeatedly attacking another inmate.

2. To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules

   Because only nine players were present, the football team was forced to forfeit the game.

3. To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
4. To fail to keep an obligation.

Synonyms

• (lose a contest): capitulate, surrender, disqualify
• (voluntarily give up): forgo, withgo

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

forfeit (not comparable)

1. Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
   • 1867, Ralph Waldo Emerson, May-Day

     to tread the forfeit paradise

Anagrams

• toffier