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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

obligate

Main Entry:: ob·li·gate
Pronunciation:: \ˈäb-li-gət, -lə-ˌgāt\
Function:: adjective

1 : restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning <the infant is an obligate nose breather — Journal of the American Medical Association> <an obligate parasite> 2 : biologically essential for survival <obligate parasitism>

— ob·li·gate·ly adverb

Learn more about "obligate" and related topics at Britannica.com

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