Word Study
beholden (root: behold)
CIDE DICTIONARY
beholden, p. a. [Old p. p. of behold, used in the primitive sense of the simple verb hold.].
Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted. [1913 Webster]
"But being so beholden to the Prince." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
beholden, predic.adj. (usu. foll. by to) under obligation.
Etymology
past part. (obs. except in this use) of BEHOLD, = bound
THESAURUS
beholden
acknowledging, appreciative, beholden to, bound, bounden, bounden to, cognizant of, committed, crediting, duty-bound, grateful, in debt, in duty bound, indebted, indebted to, much obliged, obligate, obligated, obliged, obliged to, pledged, saddled, sensible, thankful, tied, under obligationROGET THESAURUS
beholden
Gratitude
N gratitude, thankfulness, feeling of obligation, sense of obligation, acknowledgment, recognition, thanksgiving, thanksgiving, giving thanks, thankful good will, thanks, praise, benediction, paean, Te Deum, grace, grace before meat, grace after meat, grace before meals, grace after meals, thank offering, requital, grateful, thankful, obliged, beholden, indebted to, under obligation, Int, thanks!, many thanks!, gramercy!, much obliged!, thank you!, thank you very much!, thanks a lot!, thanks a heap, thanks loads, thank Heaven!, Heaven be praised!, Gott sei Dank!.For further exploring for "beholden" in Webster Dictionary Online