Middle English Dictionary Entry
forfē̆t ppl. & adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | forfē̆t ppl. & adj. Also forfait, forsfet, forisfaict. |
| Etymology | OF forfet, forfait, forsfet, ppl. of forfaire; cp. ML foris factum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of goods or property: subject to seizure because of the owner's violation of a law or a contract; of persons: liable to imprisonment; of a man's life: forfeited, lost.
Associated quotations
- [ a1350 Ipswich Domesday(1) (Add 25012)144 : E a la tierce feze..seyt la char forfete. ]
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1039 : Of foure daies time I sette That ye this thing no lenger lette, So that your lif be noght forsfet.
- (1419) Proc.Privy C.2.248 : Said vessel had forfait ayein the trieuves taken betwix the king my souverain lord and the Duc of Bretaigne, and be that cause forfait unto me and so kept undre arrest.
- (1423) RParl.4.256b : The too half be forfet to the use of the Kyng.
- (1435) RParl.4.491b : All oyer Merchandises that by Statut sholden repaire to the Staple aforsaide, founden shipped in any Crikes in contrarie of the Ordenance abovesaide, been forfait.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)34 : Landes..goodes..shulde not be take into the kyngis hande, but yiff they were leffully fforfet.
- (1437) RParl.4.508b : Yat alle ye..Merchaundis' founden shipped in any prive Porte, Cryke, or suspecte place, and noght at the places in ye Portes aforesaid, or ye value yerof; and every straunger Shippes or Vessels yet any suche Goodes and Merchaundises be layde inne, be forfait; and ye Deniszins also, yif ye awners yerof be privee and assentyng yerto, and yaire bodies emprisonned at the Kinges wille.
- (1442) Rec.Norwich 2151 : Þat þanne thoo worstedes and stuff so founden defectif be forfaite.
- (1455) RParl.5.324a : Somme of youre said Officers..woll make distresse ayenst such Commissioners..to retourne theire Commission with all issuez forisfaicte.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)181 : If ony man seld ony othir pris, the vitail be forfete to the Kyng.
- (c1472) Stonor1.122 : Howe be it they be boundyn by obligacion unto my saide servaunt in þe sum of x li., þe whiche summe is forfet.