ob·li·gate
(ŏb́lĭ-gāt́)
[Latin obligāre, obligāt-; see oblige.]
transitive verb: -gat·ed, -gat·ing, -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.
adjective
- 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.
derivatives
- ob́li·ga·ble
- adjective
- ob́li·gate·ly
- adverb
- ob́li·gátor
- noun