oblige
verbattested in dialogue
- //əˈblaɪd͡ʒ//
- //əˈbliːd͡ʒ//
- //ɒˈbliːd͡ʒ//
To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
verb
- 1
To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
I am obliged to report to the police station every week.
Tho' he was some time awake before me, yet did he not offer to disturb a repose he had given me so much occasion for; but on my first stirring, which was not till past ten o'clock, I was oblig'd to endure one more trial of his manhood.
- 2
To do (someone) a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).
He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.
The singer obliged(us) with an encore.
In the mean time I have another trouble to give you, if you will oblige me in it; and that is to get me a sight of the famous Orrery, which I have heard you and others so often speak of; and which I think was made by Mr. Rowley, the famous Mathematical Instrument-Maker.
They also asked to dive as a buddy pair rather than with an instructor. Considering their previous experience of more than 80 logged dives each, the crew obliged.
- 3
To cause somebody to feel indebted.
I am much obliged to you for your recent help.
Etymology
From Middle English obligen, from Old French obligier, obliger, from Latin obligō, obligāre, from ob- + ligō. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.
Forms
- past tense
- obliged
- past participle
- obliged
- present participle
- obliging
- third person singular
- obliges
oblige · To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
obliged · Under an obligation to do something.oblivion · The state of forgetting completely, of being oblivious,…oblivious · Lacking awareness; unmindful; unaware, unconscious of.