Forfeit

Verb

Definition: To lose or give up something as a penalty for a mistake or failure.

Definition: To be deprived of or to lose something as a consequence of a particular action.

Synonyms: Lose, Surrender, Relinquish, Give up

Antonyms: Retain, Keep, Maintain

Examples:
  • If you don't pay your dues, you will forfeit your membership in the club.
  • The team had to forfeit the game due to a player's violation of the rules.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "for" as representing a loss or penalty, and "feit" as a corruption of "fight," implying the surrender of something.

Noun

Definition: The act of losing or giving up something as a penalty.

Synonyms: Loss, Penalty, Sacrifice

Antonyms: Gain, Acquisition, Win

Examples:
  • The team suffered a forfeiture of their sponsorship after the doping scandal.
Mnemonics:
  • Associate "forfeit" with the outcome of losing something, like losing a game, leading to a loss or penalty.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "forfeit" originated from the Old French word "forfaire," which means "commit an offense." It evolved from the Latin phrase "foris facere," which means "to act outside (the law)." In Middle English, "forfeit" referred to an offense or a penalty for an offense.

Historical Usage:

The term has been used since at least the 14th century in English, primarily in legal and penal contexts.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Forfeit one's rights"

Explanation:

This phrase denotes the act of willingly giving up or losing certain entitlements or privileges.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "forfeit" with "forfeiture."

Explanation:

While "forfeit" can be both a verb and a noun, "forfeiture" specifically refers to the act or process of losing something as a penalty.

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