— obligable /ob"li geuh beuhl/ , adj. — obligator , n.
v. /ob"li gayt'/ ; adj. /ob"li git, -gayt'/ , v. obligated, obligating , adj.
v.t.
1. to bind or oblige morally or legally: to obligate oneself to purchase a building.
2. to pledge, commit, or bind (funds, property, etc.) to meet an obligation.
adj.
3. morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.
4. necessary; essential.
5. Biol. restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen: obligate anaerobe (opposed to facultative ).
[ 1400-50; late ME obligat (adj.) obligatus (ptp. of obligare to bind), equiv. to ob- OB- + ligatus; see LIGATE ]