bə̇ˈhōldən, bēˈ- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from beholden, past participle of beholden, from Old English behalden, past participle of behaldan
1. : being under obligation to return a favor or gift
getting support without becoming beholden for it
2. : indebted (as for aid or inspiration)
no poet likes to acknowledge that he is beholden to an older — or a contemporary one — O.S.J.Gogarty
3. : dependent — usually used with to
domesticated animals are plainly dominated by and beholden to adult human beings — Weston La Barre
politically beholden to the industrial strength of the state — R.E.McGill