— obligedly /euh bluy"jid lee/ , adv. — obligedness , n. — obliger , n.
/euh bluyj"/ , v. , obliged, obliging .
v.t.
1. to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
2. to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract.
3. to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service: I'm much obliged for the ride.
4. to put (one) in a debt of gratitude, as by a favor or accommodation: Mr. Weems will oblige us with a song.
5. to make (an action, policy, etc.) necessary or obligatory: Your carelessness obliges firmness on my part.
v.i.
6. to be kindly accommodating: I'll do anything within reason to oblige.
[ 1250-1300; ME obligen obligier obligare to bind. See OBLIGATE ]
Syn. 1. compel, force. 2. obligate. 4. OBLIGE, ACCOMMODATE imply making a gracious and welcome gesture of some kind. OBLIGE emphasizes the idea of conferring a favor or benefit (and often of taking some trouble to do it): to oblige someone with a loan. ACCOMMODATE emphasizes doing a service or furnishing a convenience: to accommodate someone with lodgings and meals.