confiscate

[ verb kon-fuh-skeyt; adjective kuh n-fis-kit ]
/ verb ˈkɒn fəˌskeɪt; adjective kənˈfɪs kɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR confiscate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·fis·cat·ed, con·fis·cat·ing.

to seize as forfeited to the public domain; appropriate, by way of penalty, for public use.
to seize by or as if by authority; appropriate summarily: The border guards confiscated our movie cameras.

adjective

seized or appropriated, as for public use.

Origin of confiscate

1525–35; < Latin confiscātus (past participle of confiscāre to seize for the public treasury), equivalent to con- con- + fisc(us) basket, moneybag, public treasury (see fiscal) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM confiscate

Words nearby confiscate

confirmation hearings, confirmatory, confirmed, confirmee, confiscable, confiscate, confiscatory, confit, confiteor, confiture, conflagrant

Words related to confiscate

appropriate, expropriate, impound, commandeer, hijack, annex, assume, arrogate, swipe, preempt, sequester, take, usurp, grab, liberate, sequestrate, accroach

British Dictionary definitions for confiscate

confiscate
/ (ˈkɒnfɪˌskeɪt) /

verb (tr)

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

adjective

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

Derived forms of confiscate

confiscation, noun confiscator, noun

Word Origin for confiscate

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