obligate

• POS: Adjective, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: ob=li=gate

CIDE DICTIONARY

obligate, v. t. [L. obligatus, p. p. of obligare. See Oblige.].

•  To bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a constraining motive.  Proudfit.  [1913 Webster]

  "That's your true plan -- to obligate
  The present ministers of state."  [1913 Webster]
•  To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.  [1913 Webster]

  "That they may not incline or be obligated to any vile or lowly occupations."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

obligate, v. & adj.
--v.tr.
1 (usu. in passive; foll. by to + infin.) bind (a person) legally or morally.
2 US commit (assets) as security.
--adj. Biol. that has to be as described (obligate parasite).

Derivative

obligator n.

Etymology

L obligare obligat- (as OBLIGE)

THESAURUS

obligate

accept obligation, agree to, answer for, be answerable for, be responsible for, be security for, bind, commit, compel, constrain, contract, engage, force, go bail for, have an understanding, make imperative, make incumbent, oblige, pledge, require, saddle with, shake hands on, take the vows, tie, undertake