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obligatory

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The definition of obligatory is necessary, required or expected as a result of law or social custom.

(adjective)

When someone waves at you and you feel like you have to wave back because social system says you do in order to be polite, the return wave is an example of an obligatory wave.
When the law requires you to stop at a red light, this is an example of a time when stopping is obligatory.

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See obligatory in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

legally or morally binding; constituting, or having the nature of, an obligation; required
Biol. obligate

Origin: LL obligatorius

Related Forms:

obligatorily adverb

See obligatory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Morally or legally constraining; binding.
Imposing or recording an obligation: a bill obligatory.
Of the nature of an obligation; compulsory: Attendance is obligatory. Mathematics is an obligatory course.
Biology Obligate.

Related Forms:

o·bligˌa·toˈri·ly adverb

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