/ əˈblaɪdʒ; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn to inf ] [ usually passive ] to force sb to do sth, by law, because it is a duty, etc. :
Parents are obliged by law to send their children to school.
I felt obliged to ask them to dinner.
He suffered a serious injury that obliged him to give up work.
2.
oblige sb (by doing sth) | oblige sb (with sth) to help sb by doing what they ask or what you know they want :
[ v ]
Call me if you need any help—I'd be happy to oblige .
[ vn ] ( formal )
Would you oblige me with some information?
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense bind by oath ): from Old French obliger , from Latin obligare , from ob- towards + ligare to bind.