əˈblīj verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English obligen, from Old French obliger, from Latin obligare, from ob- to, against, over + ligare to bind, tie — more at ob- , ligature
transitive verb
1. : to constrain (as another or oneself) by physical, moral, or legal force : put under obligation to do or to forbear from doing something
necessity obliged him to this crime
we obliged ourselves to settle our father's bills
the soldiers were obliged to retreat
the law obliges everyone to pay his taxes
2.
a. obsolete : to pledge as security : pawn , mortgage
b. obsolete : to bind as subject to a penalty (as by a bond)
c. : to make (oneself) liable to punishment under the law
3.
a. : to bind by a favor or service performed : place under obligation by helping or favoring : make indebted by such treatment
you will oblige me greatly if you get there early
b. : to do a favor or minor service for
always seeking to oblige his friends
c. obsolete : please , accommodate , gratify
d. dialect : to work for especially in a domestic capacity
used to oblige a few favored neighbors on festive occasions
e. : to make a loan to
can you oblige me with a few dollars
intransitive verb
: to do something as or as if a favor
the sun obliged somewhat fitfully — Mollie Panter-Downes
as
a. : to perform by way of entertainment
the quartet will oblige with a song
b. dialect : to work for someone especially in a domestic capacity
she obliged for the cottagers in summer
Synonyms:
oblige , accommodate , favor all signify to do a service or perform a courtesy. oblige suggests the doing of something that is so pleasing or so especially convenient for someone else that it could be thought to, though does not necessarily, create an obligation
oblige a friend by lending him money
the hotel obliged by serving them meals at odd hours with no extra charge
oblige me by retiring for the night — George Meredith
accommodate , often interchangeable with oblige, usually suggests the putting of oneself to some inconvenience or sacrifice to oblige; in its very common use in business it frequently suggests a practical or commercial motive above that of goodwill
accommodate a friend with the loan of a car
keep exotic foods in stock to accommodate special customers
favor usually confines the service or courtesy to one of goodwill
favor one's friends with many small kindnesses
favor an audience with an encore
although it has come, in this sense, to suggest often a supercilious or patronizing quality in the action
favor common people around him with a cold smile
favor his admirers with a glance
favor his parents with a yearly letter
Synonym: see in addition force .