I. -gə̇t, -ləˌgāt adjective
Etymology: Middle English obligat, from Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare
1.
a. obsolete : placed under obligation : bound
b. : restricted to a particular condition of life
an obligate parasite
obligate anaerobes
2. : completely unavoidable : essential , necessary
the presence of mycorrhiza appears obligate to the healthy growth of many plants
following an obligate course of development
• ob·li·gate·ly adverb
II. ˈäbləˌgāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare to oblige — more at oblige
1. obsolete : bind , fasten
2.
a. : to pledge as security
b. : to assign or commit (as funds) to meet a particular obligation
the treasury had obligated anticipated receipts from the new tax
3.
a. : to constrain or bind to some course of action (as by legal measures, moral or social considerations, or force of circumstances)
obligated to pay alimony
community life obligates each of us to certain restraints and conformities
b. : oblige 3a
hoping to obligate enough of his colleagues to put over the measure
I don't like to be obligated to anybody
4. : to put under a promise, vow, or oath especially as part of a ceremony of initiation into an organization