Main Entry: oblige

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈblīj\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): obliged; oblig·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French obliger, from Latin obligare, literally, to bind to, from ob- toward + ligare to bind — more at ligature

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance <obliged to find a job>
2 a : to put in one's debt by a favor or service <we are much obliged for your help> b : to do a favor for <always ready to oblige a friend>intransitive verb : to do something as or as if as a favor

synonyms see force

— oblig·er noun