Con"fis*cate (? or &?;), a. [L. confiscatus, p. p. of confiscare to confiscate, prop., to lay up in a chest; con- + fiscus basket, purse, treasury. See Fiscal.] Seized and appropriated by the government to the public use; forfeited.

Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate.
Shak.

Con"fis*cate (? or &?;; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confiscated; p. pr. & vb. n. Confiscating.] To seize as forfeited to the public treasury; to appropriate to the public use.

It was judged that he should be banished and his whole estate confiscated and seized.
Bacon.

• (transitive) To take possession of by force or authority; expropriate.
       In schools it is common for teachers to confiscate electronic games and other distractions.