v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' bl ī j
Function: verb
Inflected Form: obliged ; oblig · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French obliger, from Latin obligare, literally, to bind to, from ob- toward + ligare to bind ― more at LIGATURE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance < obliged to find a job>
2 a : to put in one's debt by a favor or service <we are much obliged for your help> b : to do a favor for <always ready to oblige a friend>
intransitive verb : to do something as or as if as a favor
synonyms see FORCE
– oblig · er noun