oblige

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French obliger, from Latin obligo, obligare, from ob- + ligo. Doublet of obligate, taken straight from Latin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈblaɪdʒ/
• Rhymes: -aɪdʒ

Verb

oblige (third-person singular simple present obliges, present participle obliging, simple past and past participle obliged)

1. (transitive) To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.

   I am obliged to report to the police station every week.

   • 1749, John Cleland, “part 3”, in Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, London: G. Fenton, OCLC 13050889:

     Tho' he was some time awake before me, yet did he not offer to disturb a repose he had given me so much occasion for; but on my first stirring, which was not till past ten o'clock, I was oblig'd to endure one more trial of his manhood.

2. (transitive) To do someone a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).

   He obliged me by not parking his car in the drive.

   • 1719, John Harris, Astronomical dialogues between a gentleman and a lady, page 151:

     In the mean time I have another trouble to give you, if you will oblige me in it; and that is to get me a sight of the famous Orrery, which I have heard you and others so often speak of; and which I think was made by Mr. Rowley, the famous Mathematical Instrument-Maker.

3. (intransitive) To be indebted to someone.

   I am obliged to you for your recent help.

4. (intransitive) To do a service or favour.

   The singer obliged with another song.

References

Anagrams

• big ole

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔbliʒ/

Verb

oblige

1. first-person singular present indicative of obliger
2. third-person singular present indicative of obliger
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of obliger
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of obliger
5. second-person singular imperative of obliger