society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] > in advance (3)
transitive. To put under an obligation or commitment beforehand; to bind in advance by a pledge or promise. In later use esp.: to secure the…
transitive. To oblige in advance; to bind by previous obligation. Chiefly in passive.
transitive (in passive). To be bound by a prior pledge to.