For″feit (?), n. [OE. forfet crime, penalty, F. forfait crime (LL. forefactum, forifactum), prop. p. p. of forfaire to forfeit, transgress, fr. LL. forifacere, prop., to act beyond; L. foris out of doors, abroad, beyond + facere to do. See Foreign, and Fact.] 1. Injury; wrong; mischief.
To seek arms upon people and country that never did us any forfeit. Ld. Berners.
2. A thing forfeit or forfeited; what is or may be taken from one in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, offense, neglect of duty, or breach of contract; hence, a fine; a mulct; a penalty; as, he who murders pays the forfeit of his life.
Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits. Shak.
3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine; — whence the game of forfeits.
Country dances and forfeits shortened the rest of the day. Goldsmith.