Obligate - Definitions from Dictionary.com

5 results for: Obligate

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ob·li·gate

Audio Help [v. ob-li-geyt; adj. ob-li-git, -geyt] Pronunciation Key verb -gat·ed, -gat·ing, adjective

–verb (used with object)

1.	to bind or oblige morally or legally: to obligate oneself to purchase a building.

2.	to pledge, commit, or bind (funds, property, etc.) to meet an obligation.

–adjective

3.	morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.

4.	necessary; essential.

5.	Biology. restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen: obligate anaerobe (opposed to facultative).

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME obligat (adj.) < L obligātus (ptp. of obligāre to bind), equiv. to ob- ob- + ligātus; see ligate

]

—Related forms

ob·li·ga·ble

Audio Help [ob-li-guh-buh

l] Pronunciation Key, adjective

ob·li·ga·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Obligate

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ob·li·gate Audio Help (ŏb'lĭ-gāt') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates

To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force.
To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige.
To commit (money, for example) in order to fulfill an obligation.

adj. (-gĭt, -gāt')

Biology Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role: an obligate parasite; an obligate anaerobe.
Absolutely indispensable; essential.

[Latin obligāre, obligāt-; see oblige.]

ob'li·ga·ble (-gə-bəl) adj., ob'li·gate·ly adv., ob'li·ga'tor n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

obligate
adjective
1.	restricted to a particular condition of life; "an obligate anaerobe can survive only in the absence of oxygen" [ant: facultative]
verb
1.	force somebody to do something; "We compel all students to fill out this form" [syn: compel]
2.	commit in order to fulfill an obligation; "obligate money"
3.	bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise" [syn: oblige]

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

obligate Audio Help (ŏb'lĭ-gĭt, -gāt') Pronunciation Key
Capable of existing only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. An obligate aerobe, such as certain bacteria, can live only in the presence of oxygen. An obligate parasite cannot survive independently of its host. Compare facultative.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

obligate

Fac"ul*ta*tive\, a. [L. facultas, -atis, faculty: cf. F. facultatif, G. fakultativ.]

1. Having relation to the grant or exercise faculty, or authority, privilege, license, or the like hence, optional; as, facultative enactments, or those which convey a faculty, or permission; the facultative referendum of Switzerland is one that is optional with the people and is necessary only when demanded by petition; facultative studies; -- opposed to obligatory and compulsory, and sometimes used with to.

2. Of such a character as to admit of existing under various forms or conditions, or of happening or not happening, or the like; specif.: (Biol.) Having the power to live under different conditions; as, a facultative parasite, a plant which is normally saprophytic, but which may exist wholly or in part as a parasite; -- opposed to obligate.

3. (Physiol.) Pertaining to a faculty or faculties.

In short, there is no facultative plurality in the mind; it is a single organ of true judgment for all purposes, cognitive or practical. --J. Martineau.

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