I. ˈä-blə-ˌgāt transitive verb
( -gat·ed ; -gat·ing )
Etymology: Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare
Date: 1533
1. : to bind legally or morally : constrain
2. : to commit (as funds) to meet an obligation
II. ˈä-bli-gət, -blə-ˌgāt adjective
Date: 1887
1. : restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life
an obligate parasite
2. : biologically essential for survival
obligate mutualism
• ob·li·gate·ly adverb