51Թ

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obligate

[ verb ob-li-geyt; adjective ob-li-git, -geyt ]

verb (used with object)

obligated, obligating.
  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

  1. morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.
  2. Biology. restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen ( facultative ):

    obligate anaerobe.

obligate

/ ˈɒɪˌɡɪ /

verb

  1. to compel, constrain, or oblige morally or legally
  2. (in the US) to bind (property, funds, etc) as security
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. compelled, bound, or restricted
  2. biology able to exist under only one set of environmental conditions Compare facultative

    an obligate parasite cannot live independently of its host

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

obligate

/ ŏĭ-ĭ,-′ /

  1. Capable of existing only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. An obligate aerobe, such as certain bacteria, can live only in the presence of oxygen. An obligate parasite cannot survive independently of its host.
  2. Compare facultative
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDz, adjective
  • ˈDzˌٴǰ, noun
  • Dzˈپ, adjective
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Other 51Թs From

  • Dz··· [ob, -li-g, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
  • Dz···ٴǰ noun
  • ·Dz··ٱ verb (used with object) preobligated preobligating
  • ·Dz··ٱ verb (used with object) reobligated reobligating
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of obligate1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English obligat, from Latin Dzٳܲ (past participle of Dz “to bind”), equivalent to ob- + ٳܲ; ob-, ligate
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of obligate1

C16: from Latin Dz to oblige
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Example Sentences

John isn’t obligated to do James’ job while investigating his disappearance, he chooses to.

From

Did you feel obligated in any way to write about love because that’s what we expect from pop stars?

From

"Cancel culture" complaints are usually premised on the notion that liberals are obligated to applaud bigoted statements, date people they don't like, and laugh at jokes they don't find funny.

From

"Slowly, across the years, we've been obligated to lock the kids in the house and not allowed them to be a bit free like we used to be growing up," says mother-of-three Helena Costa.

From

Although the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, it has been contractually obligated to support the island’s defense program with weapons sales for years.

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