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Obligated - 2 dictionary results
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ob⋅li⋅gate

  [v. ob-li-geyt; adj. ob-li-git, -geyt] verb -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing, adjective
Use Obligated in a Sentence
–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  [ob-li-guh-buhl] , adjective
ob⋅li⋅ga⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Obligated
ob·li·gate   (ŏb'lĭ-gāt')   
tr.v.   ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates
  1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force.
  2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige.
  3. To commit (money, for example) in order to fulfill an obligation.
adj.   (-gĭt, -gāt')
  1. Biology Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role: an obligate parasite; an obligate anaerobe.
  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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