[oblige] vb obliged ; oblig.ing [ME, fr. OF obliger, fr. L obligare, lit., to bind to, fr. ob- toward + ligare to bind--more at ligature] vt (14c) 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 ~ a friend" ~ vi: to do something as or as if a favor syn see force -- oblig.er n