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obligated

 - 5 dictionary results

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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ob·li·gate
Pronunciation: 'ä-bl&-"gAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -gat·ed; -gat·ing
1 : to bind legally or morally obligated to pay child support>
2 : to commit (as funds or property) to meet or provide security for an obligation —oblig·a·to·ry /&-'bli-g&-"tOr-E/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ob·li·gate
Pronunciation: 'äb-li-g&t, -l&-"gAt
Function: adjective
1 : restricted to one particularlycharacteristic mode of life or way of functioning obligate nose breather —Journal of the American Medical Association> obligate parasite>
2 : biologically essential for survival <obligate parasitism> —ob·li·gate·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

obligate ob·li·gate (ŏb'lĭ-gĭt, -gāt')
adj.
Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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