oblige

One entry found for oblige.

Main Entry: oblige
Pronunciation: &-'blIj
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
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
synonym see FORCE
- oblig·er noun