English Explanatory Dictionary

confiscate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To use one's authority to lay claim to and separate a possession from its holder.
adj
  1. Confiscated; seized and appropriated by the government for public use; forfeit.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/ /ˈkɑnfəˌskeɪt/ en-us-confiscate.ogg

Word forms

confiscate confiscates confiscating confiscated confuscate

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin cōnfiscātus, the perfect passive participle of Latin cōnfiscō (“to seize for the public treasury (fiscus)”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix).

Synonyms

appropriate arrogate commandeer expropriate requisition usurp steal rob

Related words

fiscal confiscation

Derived words

confiscatable confiscator reconfiscate unconfiscated
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