oblige

The definition of oblige is to compel, force or obligate someone to do something by force, or to do as someone wishes, or to be indebted to someone.

(verb)

If you require your sister to go to the party or you will tell your parents a secret about her, you oblige her to go to the party.
If you agree to go to the party when your sister asks, this is an example of when you oblige her.
If you are grateful to someone for giving you a gift, this is an example of when you are obliged.

See oblige in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb obliged, obliging

Origin: ME obligen < OFr obligier < L obligare, to bind, oblige < ob- (see ob-) + ligare, to bind: see ligature

intransitive verb

to do a favor or service

Related Forms:

See oblige in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb o·bliged, o·blig·ing, o·blig·es

verb, transitive

To constrain by physical, legal, social, or moral means.
To make indebted or grateful: I am obliged to you for your gracious hospitality.
To do a service or favor for: They obliged us by arriving early.

verb, intransitive

To do a service or favor: The soloist obliged with yet another encore.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English obligen

Origin: , from Old French obligier

Origin: , from Latin obligāre

Origin: : ob-, to; see ob-

Origin: + ligāre, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: