oblige /ə- or ō-blījˈ, formerly -blējˈ/

1. To bind morally or legally
2. To constrain
3. To bind by some favour rendered, hence to do a favour to

To do something as a favour

obligant /obˈli-gənt/ noun (Scots law)

Someone who binds himself or herself to another to pay or to perform something

obˈligate /-li-gāt/ transitive verb

1. To bind by contract or duty
2. To bind by gratitude
3. To constrain (US and archaic)

By necessity, without option

obligation /ob-li-gāˈshən/ noun

1. The act of obliging
2. A moral or legal bond, tie, or binding power
3. An action, promise or requirement of such a kind that failure to perform or fulfil it contravenes the law
4. The thing to which one is bound
5. A debt of gratitude
6. A favour
7. A bond containing a penalty in case of failure (law)

obligāˈtional adjective

obˈligātor noun

obligatorily /o-bligˈə-tər-i-li, ə-bligˈ or obˈlig-/ adverb

obligˈatoriness (or /obˈlig-/) noun

obligˈatory (or /obˈlig-/) adjective

1. Binding
2. Imposing duty
3. Imposed as an obligation
4. Obligate

• butterfly weed
• butterfly weeds
• butterhead lettuce
• butterhead lettuces
• butter icing
• butterier
• butteries
• butteriest
• butterine
• butterines
• butteriness
• butterinesses
• buttering
• butter knife
• butter knives
• buttermilk
• butter muslin
• butternut
• butternuts
• butter oil
• butter-paper
• butter pat
• butter pats
• butter plate
• butter-print