confiscate

[ verb kon-fuh-skeyt; adjective kuhn-fis-kit ]

verb (used with object)

, con·fis·cat·ed, con·fis·cat·ing.

1. to seize as forfeited to the public domain; appropriate, by way of penalty, for public use.
2. to seize by or as if by authority; appropriate summarily:

   The border guards confiscated our movie cameras.

adjective

1. seized or appropriated, as for public use.

confiscate

/ ˈkɒnfɪˌskeɪt /

verb

1. to seize (property), esp for public use and esp by way of a penalty

adjective

1. seized or confiscated; forfeit
2. having lost or been deprived of property through confiscation

Derived Forms

• ˌconfisˈcation, noun
• ˈconfisˌcator, noun

Other Words From

• con·fis·cat·a·ble adjective
• con·fis·ca·tion [kon-f, uh, -, skey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• con·fis·ca·tor noun
• re·con·fis·cate verb (used with object) reconfiscated reconfiscating
• un·con·fis·cat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confiscate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin confiscātus “seized,” past participle of confiscāre “to seize for the public treasury,” equivalent to con- con- + fisc(us) “basket, moneybag, public treasury” ( fiscal ) + -āre, verb infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of confiscate¹

C16: from Latin confiscāre to seize for the public treasury, from fiscus basket, treasury

Example Sentences

Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators subsequently tracked the emerald to a Las Vegas vault, but since they could not sort out who owned the gem, they confiscated it.

From Los Angeles Times

Police detained him and confiscated his electronic devices.

From BBC

Charity The Loop will operate at Drumsheds in London and the Warehouse Project in Manchester, checking any confiscated or surrendered substances.

From BBC

Since December last year, nearly 400 high-calibre firearms, thousands of bullets, uncut diamonds and money have been confiscated from illegal miners.

From BBC

He switched venues at the last minute to throw press off the scent, and confiscated the recordings.

From BBC

Related Words

• appropriate
• expropriate
• impound