obligev.

Brit.

/əˈblʌɪdʒ/, U.S.

/əˈblaɪdʒ/

Forms:

α. Middle English obleche, Middle English oblegi (south-western), Middle English obliche, Middle English oblie (transmission error), Middle English obligi (south-western), Middle English oblyge, Middle English 1800s– oblege (regional), Middle English– oblige, 1500s 1800s– obleege (regional), 1600s obleidge, 1600s obleige, 1600s obliege, 1600s obligue, 1600s obliige (perhaps transmission error), 1600s–1800s oblidge, 1700s obleadg, 1700s obliedge, 1800s– obleedge (regional); Scottish pre-1700 obblych, pre-1700 obleadge, pre-1700 obledge, pre-1700 obleeidge, pre-1700 oblege, pre-1700 obleidg, pre-1700 obleidge, pre-1700 obleig, pre-1700 obleigde, pre-1700 obleige, pre-1700 oblidge, pre-1700 obliege, pre-1700 obligd, pre-1700 oblych, pre-1700 1700s obliedge, pre-1700 1700s– oblige, 1700s obleedge, 1800s– obleege.

β. Middle English obblische, Middle English oblesche, Middle English obleshe, Middle English oblesshe, Middle English oblische, Middle English oblish, Middle English oblishe, Middle English oblissh, Middle English oblysche, Middle English oblyssh; Scottish pre-1700 obleish, pre-1700 obleishe, pre-1700 oblesce, pre-1700 oblesch, pre-1700 oblesh, pre-1700 obliesh, pre-1700 oblisch, pre-1700 oblishe, pre-1700 oblysh, pre-1700 1700s oblish; N.E.D. (1902) also records a form late Middle English obblish.

γ. Middle English oblesse, Middle English oblis, Middle English oblise, Middle English obliss, Middle English oblisse, Middle English oblyce, Middle English oblys, Middle English oblyse, Middle English oblyss; Scottish pre-1700 obelis, pre-1700 obelys, pre-1700 obleas, pre-1700 obleise, pre-1700 obles, pre-1700 oblese, pre-1700 oblesse, pre-1700 oblice, pre-1700 oblis, pre-1700 oblise, pre-1700 obliss, pre-1700 obliste, pre-1700 oblyce, pre-1700 oblyes, pre-1700 oblyis, pre-1700 oblys, pre-1700 oblyse, pre-1700 1700s obleis, pre-1700 1700s obleiss, 1700s obless.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French obliger.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman obliger, oblijer and Old French, Middle French obliger, obligier to bind by oath or promise, pledge (mid 13th cent.; also reflexive), to constrain, force (c1485), to make liable (1538; also reflexive), to perform a service, give pleasure (1538) < classical Latin obligāre to bind by an oath, promise, or moral or legal tie, to pledge, mortgage, to make liable, to bind or tie around, bind up, restrain < ob- ob- prefix + ligāre to tie, bind (see ligate v.).The word was formerly pronounced /əˈbliːdʒ/, as noted by 17th- and 18th-cent. orthoepists including Coles, Strong, and Young, and this pronunciation is recorded as a variant up until the early 19th cent., e.g. in Walker (1806). It appears to have become obsolete by the mid 19th cent., and is not found in later sources, including Webster (1828), Smart (1857), Worcester (1860), and Stormonth (1884). Webster (1828) includes the comment that the word is ‘pronounced as written, not obleege’, which perhaps implies that /əˈbliːdʒ/, while deemed incorrect, could still be heard at this time. The Imperial Dict. (1883) records an obsolete pronunciation /ɒˈbliːdʒ/. H. C. Wyld, in Hist. Mod. Colloq. English (ed. 3, 1936) 226, concludes from the following quotation that in the mid 18th cent. /əˈblaɪdʒ/ was a colloquial pronunciation which received some criticism, while another pronunciation, perhaps /əˈbliːdʒ/, was perceived as more correct:1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 27 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1407 Even his [sc. a vulgar man's] pronunciation of proper words carries the mark of the beast along with it... He is obleiged, not obliged, to you. Modern French is likely to have influenced pronunciation of the word as /əˈbliːdʒ/, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it has also been suggested by Luick that this pronunciation may have developed within English (see discussion in E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §138 (3)). In Middle English occasionally with prefixed past participle (compare y- prefix).

I. To bind by oath, contract, etc.

†1. transitive. To bind (a person) by oath, promise, contract, etc.; to put under an obligation, to engage, commit. Frequently with to or infinitive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)]

obligea1325

astringe1523

obligate1581

astrictc1600

engage1642

conclude1883

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)]

obligea1325

conclude1393

astrainc1475

astringe1523

obstringe1528

obligate1533

bind1549

debt-bind1563

astrictc1600

tie1608

engage1642

to put (a person) on his or her honour1656

pin1710

a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) vii. 43 Ant also wan ani diez biþoute testament, ant be iobliged to ani oþer in dette, ant his godes comez into ordinaries hond for te ordeinen, þe ordinaries, fram nou forthward, sullen ansuuerie to þe dettes þe wile þat te godes of þe dede lastez.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 7995 Þo adde william vr king..to him vaste iobliged [a1400 Trin. Cambr. oblisched] þe king of scotlond.

a1350 (?c1280) Conception of Mary (Ashm.) 108 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1875) 1st Ser. 70 (MED) Joachim..bihete god, ȝif þt he wolde eny child hem sende, To godes seruice oblege [v.rr. oblegi, Oblisen] hi wolde þt child.

1405 Rolls of Parl. III. 605/2 Our forsaid Attornees..oblyssyng us..to fulfill all maner accordez.

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 39 (MED) He..oblissid hym to feght with hym in þe quarell.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 41 Þei oblesche no man to þer maner of pouert.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. ii All menne were perdoned..whiche would..by othe be obliged truly to serue and obeye hym.

1580 in T. G. Law Catholic Tractates (1901) Everie subiect is oblished in his conscience..to obey the iust lawes of his magistrat.

a1657 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 275 I inclos'd the Note..in a Letter to my Brother, and oblig'd him to be very careful in sending it.

1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. vi. §73 It has been commonly suppos'd, That a Father could oblige his Posterity to that Government, of which he himself was a Subject.

1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia I. viii. 54 My father had obliged me to the improvement of my stock, not by a promise..but by a penalty which I was at liberty to incur.

1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 216 Slaves..cannot be obliged to any other person.

1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 229 In nomina, while one, by making an entry to the other's debit, lays him under obligation, it is only the latter that is obliged.

†2.

a. transitive (reflexive). To bind oneself by an oath, promise, or contract; to come under an obligation, to pledge, engage oneself. With to, †unto, infinitive, or that-clause. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind morally or legally [verb (reflexive)]

obligec1325

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 2161 (MED) Hii hom wolde obligi & sikernesse vinde gode To bere hom clene hor truage.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Num. xxi. 2 Irael, by vow hym self to þe lord obleschynge, seiþ ȝif þou take þis peple in myn honde, y shal doon awey his cytees.

a1425 (?c1375) N. Homily Legendary (Harl.) in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 129 (MED) Swilk drede in hert had þai ilkane Þat þai oblist þam..To hald þe couenand made byforne.

a1450 York Plays (1885) 117 (MED) Thy hande-mayden for soth am I, And to thi seruice I oblissh me.

c1480 (a1400) St. George 503 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 190 Þane sais þe wich: ‘gyf I ne ma ourcum his craft..I oblise me..but ransoninge to thole dede.’

1526 in J. Cooper Cartularium Eccl. St. Nicholai Aberdonensis (1888) I. 154 We bind and obles ws and our successouris..that [etc.].

1542 in A. J. Mill Mediaeval Plays (1927) 148 Alexander Kayn wes accusit in jugment for his vyff becaus he oblegit hym to anser for hir deidis.

c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 308 We obleiss ws, and promeiss that..the said abstinence of weir..sall continew.

1609 W. M. Man in Moone sig. F^v You: who hauing plighted your faith, and solemnly obliged your selfe vnto an husband, are now become most faithlesse and perfidious.

1669 G. Miege Relation of Three Embassies 313 The time for which he had obliged himself being expired.

1721 in T. W. Marsh Some Rec. Early Friends in Surrey & Sussex (1886) iii. 29 We Desire John Croker to take his place and..we doe obleadg our selves to give him 40 shili.

1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 9 Sept. 7/3 In gratitude for the bequest of Preston, the town council obliged themselves to his son to build that aisle to his memory.

b. intransitive. Scottish. To commit oneself, promise, give an undertaking. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)]

found12..

to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300

assay1330

study1340

to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384

intendc1385

pressc1390

to put oneself in pressc1390

gatherc1400

undertakec1405

sayc1425

to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450

setc1485

obligea1500

essay?1515

attend1523

supprise1532

to set in foot1542

enterprise1547

address1548

to set in hand1548

prove1612

to make it one's businessa1628

engage1646

embark1647

bend1694

to take hold1868

a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) iii. l. 265 Off Iuda Þan þe barnage al Þam oblist erare hym to ta.

1567 in J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 34 That these præsent oblishes to reforme themselves.

1579 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (Edinb.) 1001 in Shorter Poems (2003) 67 I obleis be my hand, He sall obserue in all pointis ȝour behest.

1634 in J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 374 We..undersubscryve, and oblishes and promises to obey the wholl contents of the said letter.

1875 Border Treasuring 15 May 477 Aw had obleegd to come hame to the wife agyen.

†3.

a. transitive. To make (property, etc.) a guarantee or security for the discharge of a promise or debt; to pledge, pawn, mortgage. Also figurative: to pledge (one's life, honour, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > pledge (of money, land, etc.) as security

obligec1325

obligate1541

escrow1961

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 6771 Þe emperour of rome to him..Obligede [v.r. Obleged] bi his messagers alle þing þat was his.

Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 81 King Jon..oblisshide his rewme of Ingelond and his lordshipe of Irlond in a thousand mark, to be paied yeer bi yeer.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. xxii. 26 Nyle thou be with hem that oblischen [a1382 E.V. ficche doun] her hondis, and that proferen hem silf borewis for dettis.

1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. viii. 152 Yf thou wilt oblige thy sowle to me ayenst my hors, I wolle..playe wyth the.

a1513 J. Irland Meroure of Wyssdome (1926) I. 92 This satisfaccioune mone be maid of a thing that is nocht sua oblist to God be ane vthire manere..of dete.

1675 A. Marvell Let. 11 May in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 155 The Gentlemen..were ordered to oblige each their Honour not to take any resentment.

1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 928 [He] forbid all the Prelates..to oblige their Lay-Fees to the See of Rome.

1750 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria (1752) 113 The ship is tacitly obliged for their wages.

b. transitive. Scottish. To agree, commit to (a promise, a course of action). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > make conclude or seal (an agreement)

binda1300

smitec1330

takec1330

ratify1357

knitc1400

enter1418

obligea1522

agree1523

conclude1523

strike1544

swap1590

celebrate1592

rate?1611

to strike up1646

form1736

firm1970

a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xiii. iii. 83 The haly promys and the bandis gent Of pece and concord oblisit and sworn.

4. transitive. to be obliged: to be morally or legally bound; (more generally) to be under a necessity, to be behoved. Frequently with to (or †till) or infinitive.Now overlapping with sense 13.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal obligation > be under legal obligation [verb (intransitive)]

to be obliged1398

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)]

shrive1338

to be boundc1360

to be holdena1375

to be obliged1398

oblige1548

obligate1955

the mind > emotion > gratitude > give thanks [verb (intransitive)] > be obliged

to be obliged1552

owe1638

1398 in T. Rymer Fœdera (1710) VIII. 54 To the fulfillyng of the qwhilk the..Wardain of the Est Marche of Scotland is oblist, be his Letter to Sire Henri Percy..and the said Sire Henry is oblist, be his Letter to the said Erle.

a1425 (a1400) Northern Pauline Epist. (1916) Heb. ii. 15 (MED) He schulde delyuere þem þe whiche..were oblyschid to seruage by alle þer lyfe.

c1480 (a1400) St. Adrian 165 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 276 He wes obliste til his wyfe to speke with hir in-to his lyfe.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ix I promysed to the nought at al, in the presence of whom I am oblyged or bound.

1515 in H. Rose & L. Shaw Geneal. Deduction Family Rose of Kilravock (1848) 186 To the..keping of all thir conditionis..bayth the sadis parteis ar oblist and suorn ayn till other.

1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. vi. f. 17 We ar oblissit to lufe god.

1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem (Stat. Will. c. 19) f. 5 b The wyfe is nocht oblisched to accuse hir husband.

1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. i. 268 That Duty and Respect, wherein we stand obliged to others.

1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxi. 244 Martyr excused his coming, partly because he was obliged to the city and church of Zurick.

1757 D. Hume Hist. Great Brit. II. 63 The Princess Henrietta was obliged to lie abed, for want of a fire to warm her.

1810 S. Horsley Serm. (1811) 439 Thus it should seem that Christians are clearly obliged to the observance of a Sabbath.

1892 Times 24 Sept. 12/2 Foreign farmers are obliged to market their corn immense distances by rail, canal, and sea.

1940 J. F. Kennedy Why Eng. Slept (1962) iv. 69 By the treaty Germany was not allowed to have an air fleet; if, therefore, she was building one, England would either be obliged to declare the Treaty was at an end or be prepared to go in and stop her.

1981 A. Gray Lanark iii. iii. 22 It should last until you find work, but if you spend it before then this card entitles you to present another claim, which we shall be obliged, in due course, to honour.

a. transitive. Of an oath, promise, law, command, etc.: to bind (a person). With to or infinitive.Now overlapping with sense 13.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)] > specifically of an oath or promise

obligec1400

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] > specifically of an oath, promise, etc.

obligec1400

combinea1616

c1400 Comm. on Canticles (Bodl. 288) in T. Arnold Sel. Eng. Wks. J. Wyclif (1871) III. 70 (MED) Gode deedis, in Goddis myraclis, oblischen men moore to serve God.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxviij^v The statutes and ordinaunces..dothe not oblige and bynde them to that case, but in certayne poyntes.

?1591 R. Bruce Serm. Sacrament i. sig. D7 The command oblishes zou to obey.

1649 W. Ball Power of Kings 8 As the Kings Oath tieth and obligeth Him to the People, certainly the Peoples Oath tieth and obligeth them to the King.

1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. i. 29 Christianity so much the more obliges us..to invoke the Assistance of the true God.

1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia I. 449 The names of those whom vicinity obliges to attendance are read over morning and evening.

1907 E. M. Forster Longest Journey xxix. 295 The letter censured the law of England, ‘which obliges us to behave like this’.

1992 Fleet Street Rep. 19 210 Neither those regulations nor any general principle of Community law obliges companies to do any more than supply the Commission with such information or documentation as it has requested under Article 11 of Regulation 17.

b. transitive. With simple object: to bind (a person, conscience, etc.), to be binding on. Also intransitive. rare after 17th cent.

ΚΠ

a1402 J. Trevisa tr. R. Fitzralph Defensio Curatorum (Harl.) (1925) 68 (MED) He..seide þat freres beþ nouȝt y-holde to kepe þat heeste þat may nouȝt oblege wiþout assent of freres, & namelich, wiþ-oute assent of mynystres..& hit oblegide [v.r. oblege] his successour in noon maner wise, for of twey peres noþer haþ power & heeste ouer oþer.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 101 (MED) Four þingis are requirid to ilk vowe þat oblischiþ.

a1540 (c1460) G. Hay tr. Bk. King Alexander 1944 Sen he haid oblist king for king..and onlie man for man.

1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. i. 47 Yet these Lawes would no wayes obliege them, unlesse they voluntarily consented and submitted to them in Parliament.

1673 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd II. 241 You say they are no Laws unless they oblige the Conscience.

1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature vii. 153 Two inconsistent laws cannot both oblige.

1962 J. L. Austin et al. How to do Things with Words i. 10 Thus ‘I promise to..’ obliges me—puts on record my spiritual assumption of a spiritual shackle.

†II. To make liable to punishment, etc.

a. transitive. To make (a person) subject or liable to (or til) a bond, penalty, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > make subject to an action or influence > a bond, penalty, etc.

oblige1340

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] > make (a person) subject to a bond, etc.

oblige1340

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]

shrenchc897

beswike971

betrapa1000

bewindOE

undernimc1175

undertakec1175

bisayc1200

beguile?c1225

catchc1225

beginc1250

biwilea1275

tele?a1300

enginec1300

lime13..

umwrithea1340

engrin1340

oblige1340

belimec1350

enlacec1374

girnc1375

encumber138.

gnarec1380

enwrap1382

briguea1387

snarl1387

upbroid1387

trap1390

entrikea1393

englue1393

gildera1400

aguilec1400

betraisec1400

embrygec1400

snare1401

lacea1425

maska1425

begluec1430

marl1440

supprise?c1450

to prey ona1500

attrap1524

circumvene1526

entangle1526

tangle1526

entrap1531

mesh1532

embrake1542

crawl1548

illaqueate1548

intricate1548

inveigle1551

circumvent1553

felter1567

besnare1571

in trick1572

ensnare1576

overcatch1577

underfong1579

salt1580

entoil1581

comprehend1584

windlassa1586

folda1592

solicit1592

toil1592

bait1600

beset1600

engage1603

benet1604

imbrier1605

ambush1611

inknot1611

enmesha1616

trammela1616

fool1620

pinion1621

aucupate1630

fang1637

surprise1642

underreacha1652

trepan1656

ensnarl1658

stalk1659

irretiate1660

coil1748

nail1766

net1803

to rope in1840

mousetrap1870

spider1891

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 113 Þe zenuolle..is y-obliged to zuo ane greate gauelinge.

c1390 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale 847 This cursed synne anoyeth hire soule, for he obligeth it to synne and to peyne of deeth.

c1425 Castle of Love (Egerton) (1967) l. 62 Alas, that synne oblisched vs al til wikkid hell-fire!

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 105 Quhen Adam sinnit he oblist hime self and al his offspring to the eternal deid.

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Pref. §14 It is to be inquired how these became laws; obliging us to sin, if we transgress.

b. transitive (reflexive). [After classical Latin sē obligāre (especially in legal texts).] To render oneself liable to punishment, to involve oneself in guilt or legal liability. Now rare. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [verb (reflexive)] > involve oneself in guilt

obligea1382

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) : Prov. (Bodl. 959) xiii. 13 Who bacbiteþ to any thyng, he oblischiþ hymself in to tyme to comen [L. ipse se in futurum obligat].

1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 257 Most agree that, as theft depends upon intent, such a child can only oblige himself in respect of it when he is close upon puberty.

†III. To bind with physical ties and related senses.

7. transitive (in passive). To be fettered, to be ensnared. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Psalms xix. 9 Þei ben oblisht [L. obligati sunt] & fellen.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xix. 9 Thai ere obligid, and thai fell.

8. transitive. To fasten or attach closely; to bind, tie up. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > attach or affix [verb (transitive)]

fastenOE

fasta1225

tachec1315

to-seta1340

catcha1350

affichea1382

to put ona1382

tacka1387

to put to1396

adjoina1400

attach?a1400

bend1399

spyndec1400

to-tachc1400

affixc1448

complexc1470

setc1480

attouch1483

found?1541

obligate1547

patch1549

alligate1563

dight1572

inyoke1595

infixa1616

wreathe1643

adlige1650

adhibit1651

oblige1656

adent1658

to bring to1681

engage1766

superfix1766

to lap on1867

accrete1870

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > bind, fetter, or shackle [verb (transitive)]

bind971

to bind hand and footOE

i-bindec1000

umgivea1300

warrok1362

hampera1375

bolt1377

shacklec1440

astrainc1475

estrain1483

to put in irons1533

to tie up1570

manacle1582

beshackle1599

to tie (also lay) neck and heels1618

fillet1633

kilta1689

to tie down1699

oblige1718

hog-tie1886

zip-tie1985

1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. viii. 114 Touching is a spirit, extended from the Hegemonick part to the superficies, so that it perceiveth that which is obliged to it.

1718 P. Motteux Don Quixote (1865) ii. xvi. 293 As soon as Maritornes had fastened him, she..left him so strongly obliged, that it was impossible he should disengage himself.

IV. To make indebted.

a. transitive. To bind or make indebted by conferring a favour; to gratify with or by doing something; to perform a service or kindness for, confer a favour on. Formerly (also): †to be of service to, to benefit (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat

favourc1374

to do a person (a) pleasure1460

to show a person (a) pleasure1460

oblige1567

engage1626

caress1679

serve1794

a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) 2074 (MED) If a woman..religion wil to hir craue, And hase non entisment þertil Bot oblis hir awn wil, Fully resauyed sal scho not be.

1567 G. Turberville tr. Ovid Heroycall Epist. 71 And oblige mee unto thee by this boone.

a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 83 If any man be oblig'd, he will command him to remember the favour.

1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 2 Here take oh Zani this ring of gold, and by giuing it to the sea, oblige it vnto thee.

1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 38 Pliny..pronounceth..That the greatest diuinity is to see a mortall man oblige his like.

c1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) lviiii The quhilk commissioun wald be reformitt, cousand the banchors heir oblis thame in euerting expences.

1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. ii. 60 That her Family had oblig'd Hungary with a Queen, and France with a Gaston de Foix.

1704 W. M. Female Wits Pref. sig. A It having been..likely to have continued much longer, had the Company thought fit to oblige the Taste of the Town in General.

1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals v. iii O pray, Faulkland, fight to oblige Sir Lucius.

1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xv. 15 Oblige me with the milk.

1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 15 413 The customer requested the appellant, to oblige her, to send the loaves home with other goods she had purchased.

1902 H. James Wings of Dove I. xii. 268 You say you can do exactly as you like. Oblige me therefore by being so good as to do it.

1975 R. Davies World of Wonders (1977) ii. ii. 165 None of them seemed anxious to oblige the escape-artist by tying him up.

1992 Great Lakes Fisherman Jan. 39/3 Lake Superior's Keweenaw Bay..usually has sold ice in January, and coho salmon, brown trout and whitefish oblige anglers with steady action.

†b. transitive. Of a service, kindness, etc.: to benefit, create a debt of gratitude in. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 85 If this tendernesse proceeded from a soft effeminate spirit, yet it would..oblige me infinitely unto you.

1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Romans xvi. 4 The..helping an eminent Minister, may oblige many Churches.

1769 J. Sinclair Corr. (1831) II. 439 Your early attention to this application, will much oblige, Sir, your very faithful and obedient servant.

c. intransitive. colloquial. To create a debt of gratitude. Now (usually): to perform a service or kindness; to do something desired or pleasing, esp. to entertain a gathering.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > show kindness [verb (intransitive)] > confer a favour

oblige1734

1734 A. Pope Epist. to Arbuthnot 208 So obliging that he ne'er oblig'd [rhyme besieg'd].

1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. vi. 48 Sir, would you obleege with the snuffers?

1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Nov. 7/1 To-night, Mr. Grossmith..and all the talents will oblige.

1897 tr. H. de Balzac Cousin Pons 12 He ‘obliged’ at the pianoforte.

1899 Westm. Gaz. 15 Apr. 2/1 A chairman was elected, obliged with a song, and then called upon a member of the company. When gents were shy, or dry, or both, professional talent obliged.

1910 A. Bennett Clayhanger i. x. 83 Gentleman all, Miss Florence Simcox..the champion clog-dancer of the Midlands, will now oblige.

1942 E. Waugh Put out More Flags (1943) ii. 69 There it is, mum. I'm sorry not to oblige.

1978 A. S. Byatt Virgin in Garden i. ix. 85 Once or twice he beat with frantic fists in the panel of the door, requiring answers, exits, explanations, which Marcus did not oblige with.

d. intransitive. euphemistic. To act as a charwoman or cleaner. Also transitive: to clean for (a person); to assist (a person) with housework.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > be in domestic service [verb (intransitive)] > come in to work in a house > char or do odd jobs

chore1746

chare1828

oblige1933

odd-job1944

society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > act as domestic servant [verb (transitive)] > clean house as charwoman > act as charwoman for

oblige1933

1933 D. C. Peel Life's Enchanted Cup xix. 259 The mother took in washing and went out to ‘oblige’ and earned roughly 22s. a week and some of her food.

1937 E. Garnett Family from One End St. i. 13 She occasionally did odd work to ‘oblige’ Mrs. Theobald, the Vicar's wife.

1958 J. Cannan And be Villain iii. 51 I'm not in service. I oblige by the hour.

1963 A. Lubbock Austral. Roundabout 165 Twice a week a lady came to ‘oblige’ in the house.

1972 ‘A. Armstrong’ One Jump Ahead i. 8 A bachelor who..paid well and wasn't too fussy..was a far better proposition than some others she had ‘obliged’.

a1978 S. T. Warner One Thing leading to Another (1985) 3 On Saturdays she could not come in the morning at all but obliged for an hour in the evening.

10.

a. transitive (in passive). To be indebted or grateful to a person or (occasionally) a thing. Chiefly formal in later use.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)]

shrive1338

to be boundc1360

to be holdena1375

to be obliged1398

oblige1548

obligate1955

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxxix Yf yt chaunce me by your ayde..to recouer..I..shalbe so muche obliged and bounde vnto you.

1619 Sir H. Wotton Let. in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 49 For the foresaid resolution in youre Ma^tie ymplying..the good of so manie of your freindes, they held themselves eternally obliged.

1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. viii. 38 To those Hills..we are obliged for all our Metals.

1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 53 I told them, I was very much obliged to them for their Good-will.

1791 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 32/2 The republick of letters is infinitely obliged to M. Coste for the pains he has taken.

1836 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. vi. 453 There is an oversight in the article on Bacon, which I shall be much obliged to you to correct.

1881 O. Wilde More Lett. (1985) 35 I am much obliged for the present of your exquisitely pretty book.

1927 A. Conan Doyle Case-bk. Sherlock Holmes 26 I am exceedingly obliged to you for your co-operation.

1985 P. O'Donnell Dead Man's Handle xv. 224 We..are vastly obliged to you..for booking us into the Royal Oak tonight.

1990 L. Keane False Impressions (BNC) iii ‘Well, they can just think again,’ replied Rachel hotly, ‘and if anyone says anything to you on those lines I would be obliged if you would put them straight.’

b. transitive. much obliged: ‘I am very grateful’, ‘thank you very much’.

ΚΠ

1788 J. O'Keeffe Farmer ii. ii. 35 Col. Dor.: Well, I'll speak to him. Jem.: Much obliged—here he is!

1866 W. Collins Armadale (ed. 3) II. ii. v. 53 ‘I have very few friends, Mr. Pedgift,’ returned Allan simply. ‘And I am sure you are one of the few.’ ‘Much obliged, Mr. Armadale.’

1931 W. Faulkner Sanctuary xx. 215 ‘I'll give you a ride, this time,’ the driver said. ‘Much obliged,’ Horace said.

1992 G. M. Fraser Quartered Safe out Here 71 ‘W'eer the 'ell ye gan to ga in India—unless yer Jock theer, an' look like a bloody wog.’ ‘Much obliged.’ ‘No offence, lad.’

†11. transitive. To gratify, please, charm. Also intransitive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)]

i-quemec893

ywortheOE

queemeOE

likeOE

paya1200

gamec1225

lustc1230

apaya1250

savoura1300

feastc1300

comfort1303

glew1303

pleasec1350

ticklec1386

feedc1400

agreea1413

agreec1425

emplessc1450

gree1468

applease1470

complaire1477

enjoy1485

warm1526

to claw the ears1549

content1552

pleasure1556

oblect?1567

relish1567

gratify1569

sweeta1575

promerit1582

tinkle1582

tastea1586

aggrate1590

gratulatea1592

greeta1592

grace1595

arride1600

complease1604

honey1604

agrade1611

oblectate1611

oblige1652

placentiate1694

flatter1695

to shine up to1882

fancy-

1652 [implied in: E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 293 His Majesty's gracious letter..was not only most welcome but very obliging. (at obliging adj. 1b)].

1673 tr. E. de Refuge Art of Complaisance 8 Without which it is impossible to oblige in conversation.

1679 G. Rose tr. P. Boaistuau Theatre of World Ded. 2 Perceiving many things in it which did oblige my fancy.

1709 J. Swift Crit. Ess. It was reasonable to suppose, you would be very much obliged with any thing, that was new.

V. To constrain, compel.

12. transitive. To constrain, influence; to force, compel (a person). Frequently in passive. With to or infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to or into an action or state

needeOE

driveOE

strainc1374

halec1400

plunge?c1400

thrust14..

pulla1425

put1425

compel1541

violent?1551

forcec1592

necessitate1629

oblige1632

dragoon1689

press1733

coercea1853

thirl1871

steamroller1959

arm-twist1964

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something

holdc1275

piltc1275

constraina1340

strength1340

distrainc1374

compelc1380

makec1395

distressa1400

stressa1400

art?1406

putc1450

coerce1475

cohert1475

enforce1509

perforce1509

forcec1540

violent?1551

press1600

necessitate1601

rack1602

restrain1621

reduce1622

oblige1632

necessiate1709

1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 91 I will obey you (my Lord) for all things oblige me so to doe.

1641 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls (1841) I. 394 That the oath which he had invented, obliedged the parliament..to ane accurate tryall of all plotters.

1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 66 See here the reasons which obliged this illustrious Prince to his resolution, and the true Motives of so glorious an action.

1675 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1905) III. 203 To obleidge all unfriemen..to liver and loaden all veschellis at Port Glasgow.

1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. iii. 75 From this time I resolve to oblige all my Family to serve God.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 176 Self-preservation oblig'd the People to those Severities.

1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 23/2 He is so weak that he has been obliged to be held up by people when he came out of the house.

1808 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi iii. 215 I will give you a certificate from under my hand of my having obliged you to march.

1875 W. D. Howells Foregone Concl. 129 It is flattering to a man to be indispensable to a woman so long as he is not obliged to it.

1896 T. F. Tout Edward I (ed. 2) iv. 83 The royal officials committed so many misdeeds that the king on his return was obliged to make a stern example.

1905 E. Wharton House of Mirth ii. x. 469 I'm obliged to work for my living.

1947 E. Waugh Diaries (1979) 689 I dug the garden and became so painfully stiff that I was obliged to stop.

1987 M. Flannagan Trust (1988) xv. xix. 173 I was obliged by every sense of honour to help you.

†13. transitive. To make imperative; to necessitate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > necessity > necessitate [verb (transitive)]

necess?a1425

to call for ——1547

force1551

necessite1596

necessitate1601

oblige1638

necessiate1709

necessity1827

mean1841

1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 82 In some sort to oblige their dependance upon his acts and fortunes.

1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xiii. 60 Policy..obliged from the dear Gentleman this Frankness and Acknowlegement.

1866 Cornhill Mag. Dec. 734 The custom of the Elizabethan theatre obliged this double authorship.

†14. transitive. To restrain from action, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > specifically from doing something

conclude1382

restrain1384

refraina1398

keepa1400

to coart of1430

revokec1450

stop1488

contain1523

retract1548

stay1560

retire1567

straiten1622

confine1651

obligec1661

c1661 Argyle's Last Will in Harl. Misc. (1746) VIII. 29/1 [Argyle] being..to oblige from the Rebellion then on Foot, created a Marquis.

1674 in E. E. Rich Minutes Hudson's Bay Company (1942) 110 That the seaman & all others be obliged from any trade in all kinde of furres.

1709 J. Johnson Clergy-man's Vade Mecum: Pt. II p. lxxi To oblige the delinquent from the exercise of his function.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	oblige
释义	† obligen. Forms: late Middle English oblyg, late Middle English oblyge, late Middle English obylyke, 1600s oblige. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: oblige v. Etymology: < oblige v. Obsolete. rare. Obligation. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > [noun] artingc1400 oblige1475 obligationc1485 astrictionc1540 religion1578 obligence1610 engagement1636 responsibility1780 1475 Cely Papers in Eng. Stud. (1961) 42 145 Lent vn to the sayde merchant by hys obylyke tyll syngsyon. 1476 Cely Papers in Eng. Stud. (1961) 42 145 By [th]er oblyge. 1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xvii. 678/2 Whether hee did it in policie..or else of duety of oblige [1623, 1632 obliege]..is vncertain. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2021). obligev. Brit. /əˈblʌɪdʒ/, U.S. /əˈblaɪdʒ/ Forms: α. Middle English obleche, Middle English oblegi (south-western), Middle English obliche, Middle English oblie (transmission error), Middle English obligi (south-western), Middle English oblyge, Middle English 1800s– oblege (regional), Middle English– oblige, 1500s 1800s– obleege (regional), 1600s obleidge, 1600s obleige, 1600s obliege, 1600s obligue, 1600s obliige (perhaps transmission error), 1600s–1800s oblidge, 1700s obleadg, 1700s obliedge, 1800s– obleedge (regional); Scottish pre-1700 obblych, pre-1700 obleadge, pre-1700 obledge, pre-1700 obleeidge, pre-1700 oblege, pre-1700 obleidg, pre-1700 obleidge, pre-1700 obleig, pre-1700 obleigde, pre-1700 obleige, pre-1700 oblidge, pre-1700 obliege, pre-1700 obligd, pre-1700 oblych, pre-1700 1700s obliedge, pre-1700 1700s– oblige, 1700s obleedge, 1800s– obleege. β. Middle English obblische, Middle English oblesche, Middle English obleshe, Middle English oblesshe, Middle English oblische, Middle English oblish, Middle English oblishe, Middle English oblissh, Middle English oblysche, Middle English oblyssh; Scottish pre-1700 obleish, pre-1700 obleishe, pre-1700 oblesce, pre-1700 oblesch, pre-1700 oblesh, pre-1700 obliesh, pre-1700 oblisch, pre-1700 oblishe, pre-1700 oblysh, pre-1700 1700s oblish; N.E.D. (1902) also records a form late Middle English obblish. γ. Middle English oblesse, Middle English oblis, Middle English oblise, Middle English obliss, Middle English oblisse, Middle English oblyce, Middle English oblys, Middle English oblyse, Middle English oblyss; Scottish pre-1700 obelis, pre-1700 obelys, pre-1700 obleas, pre-1700 obleise, pre-1700 obles, pre-1700 oblese, pre-1700 oblesse, pre-1700 oblice, pre-1700 oblis, pre-1700 oblise, pre-1700 obliss, pre-1700 obliste, pre-1700 oblyce, pre-1700 oblyes, pre-1700 oblyis, pre-1700 oblys, pre-1700 oblyse, pre-1700 1700s obleis, pre-1700 1700s obleiss, 1700s obless. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French obliger. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman obliger, oblijer and Old French, Middle French obliger, obligier to bind by oath or promise, pledge (mid 13th cent.; also reflexive), to constrain, force (c1485), to make liable (1538; also reflexive), to perform a service, give pleasure (1538) < classical Latin obligāre to bind by an oath, promise, or moral or legal tie, to pledge, mortgage, to make liable, to bind or tie around, bind up, restrain < ob- ob- prefix + ligāre to tie, bind (see ligate v.).The word was formerly pronounced /əˈbliːdʒ/, as noted by 17th- and 18th-cent. orthoepists including Coles, Strong, and Young, and this pronunciation is recorded as a variant up until the early 19th cent., e.g. in Walker (1806). It appears to have become obsolete by the mid 19th cent., and is not found in later sources, including Webster (1828), Smart (1857), Worcester (1860), and Stormonth (1884). Webster (1828) includes the comment that the word is ‘pronounced as written, not obleege’, which perhaps implies that /əˈbliːdʒ/, while deemed incorrect, could still be heard at this time. The Imperial Dict. (1883) records an obsolete pronunciation /ɒˈbliːdʒ/. H. C. Wyld, in Hist. Mod. Colloq. English (ed. 3, 1936) 226, concludes from the following quotation that in the mid 18th cent. /əˈblaɪdʒ/ was a colloquial pronunciation which received some criticism, while another pronunciation, perhaps /əˈbliːdʒ/, was perceived as more correct:1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 27 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1407 Even his [sc. a vulgar man's] pronunciation of proper words carries the mark of the beast along with it... He is obleiged, not obliged, to you. Modern French is likely to have influenced pronunciation of the word as /əˈbliːdʒ/, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it has also been suggested by Luick that this pronunciation may have developed within English (see discussion in E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §138 (3)). In Middle English occasionally with prefixed past participle (compare y- prefix). I. To bind by oath, contract, etc. †1. transitive. To bind (a person) by oath, promise, contract, etc.; to put under an obligation, to engage, commit. Frequently with to or infinitive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)] obligea1325 astringe1523 obligate1581 astrictc1600 engage1642 conclude1883 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] obligea1325 conclude1393 astrainc1475 astringe1523 obstringe1528 obligate1533 bind1549 debt-bind1563 astrictc1600 tie1608 engage1642 to put (a person) on his or her honour1656 pin1710 a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) vii. 43 Ant also wan ani diez biþoute testament, ant be iobliged to ani oþer in dette, ant his godes comez into ordinaries hond for te ordeinen, þe ordinaries, fram nou forthward, sullen ansuuerie to þe dettes þe wile þat te godes of þe dede lastez. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 7995 Þo adde william vr king..to him vaste iobliged [a1400 Trin. Cambr. oblisched] þe king of scotlond. a1350 (?c1280) Conception of Mary (Ashm.) 108 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1875) 1st Ser. 70 (MED) Joachim..bihete god, ȝif þt he wolde eny child hem sende, To godes seruice oblege [v.rr. oblegi, Oblisen] hi wolde þt child. 1405 Rolls of Parl. III. 605/2 Our forsaid Attornees..oblyssyng us..to fulfill all maner accordez. c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 39 (MED) He..oblissid hym to feght with hym in þe quarell. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 41 Þei oblesche no man to þer maner of pouert. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. ii All menne were perdoned..whiche would..by othe be obliged truly to serue and obeye hym. 1580 in T. G. Law Catholic Tractates (1901) Everie subiect is oblished in his conscience..to obey the iust lawes of his magistrat. a1657 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 275 I inclos'd the Note..in a Letter to my Brother, and oblig'd him to be very careful in sending it. 1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. vi. §73 It has been commonly suppos'd, That a Father could oblige his Posterity to that Government, of which he himself was a Subject. 1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia I. viii. 54 My father had obliged me to the improvement of my stock, not by a promise..but by a penalty which I was at liberty to incur. 1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 216 Slaves..cannot be obliged to any other person. 1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 229 In nomina, while one, by making an entry to the other's debit, lays him under obligation, it is only the latter that is obliged. †2. a. transitive (reflexive). To bind oneself by an oath, promise, or contract; to come under an obligation, to pledge, engage oneself. With to, †unto, infinitive, or that-clause. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind morally or legally [verb (reflexive)] obligec1325 c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 2161 (MED) Hii hom wolde obligi & sikernesse vinde gode To bere hom clene hor truage. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Num. xxi. 2 Irael, by vow hym self to þe lord obleschynge, seiþ ȝif þou take þis peple in myn honde, y shal doon awey his cytees. a1425 (?c1375) N. Homily Legendary (Harl.) in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 129 (MED) Swilk drede in hert had þai ilkane Þat þai oblist þam..To hald þe couenand made byforne. a1450 York Plays (1885) 117 (MED) Thy hande-mayden for soth am I, And to thi seruice I oblissh me. c1480 (a1400) St. George 503 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 190 Þane sais þe wich: ‘gyf I ne ma ourcum his craft..I oblise me..but ransoninge to thole dede.’ 1526 in J. Cooper Cartularium Eccl. St. Nicholai Aberdonensis (1888) I. 154 We bind and obles ws and our successouris..that [etc.]. 1542 in A. J. Mill Mediaeval Plays (1927) 148 Alexander Kayn wes accusit in jugment for his vyff becaus he oblegit hym to anser for hir deidis. c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 308 We obleiss ws, and promeiss that..the said abstinence of weir..sall continew. 1609 W. M. Man in Moone sig. F^v You: who hauing plighted your faith, and solemnly obliged your selfe vnto an husband, are now become most faithlesse and perfidious. 1669 G. Miege Relation of Three Embassies 313 The time for which he had obliged himself being expired. 1721 in T. W. Marsh Some Rec. Early Friends in Surrey & Sussex (1886) iii. 29 We Desire John Croker to take his place and..we doe obleadg our selves to give him 40 shili. 1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 9 Sept. 7/3 In gratitude for the bequest of Preston, the town council obliged themselves to his son to build that aisle to his memory. b. intransitive. Scottish. To commit oneself, promise, give an undertaking. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] found12.. to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300 assay1330 study1340 to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384 intendc1385 pressc1390 to put oneself in pressc1390 gatherc1400 undertakec1405 sayc1425 to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450 setc1485 obligea1500 essay?1515 attend1523 supprise1532 to set in foot1542 enterprise1547 address1548 to set in hand1548 prove1612 to make it one's businessa1628 engage1646 embark1647 bend1694 to take hold1868 a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) iii. l. 265 Off Iuda Þan þe barnage al Þam oblist erare hym to ta. 1567 in J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 34 That these præsent oblishes to reforme themselves. 1579 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (Edinb.) 1001 in Shorter Poems (2003) 67 I obleis be my hand, He sall obserue in all pointis ȝour behest. 1634 in J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 374 We..undersubscryve, and oblishes and promises to obey the wholl contents of the said letter. 1875 Border Treasuring 15 May 477 Aw had obleegd to come hame to the wife agyen. †3. a. transitive. To make (property, etc.) a guarantee or security for the discharge of a promise or debt; to pledge, pawn, mortgage. Also figurative: to pledge (one's life, honour, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > pledge (of money, land, etc.) as security obligec1325 obligate1541 escrow1961 c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 6771 Þe emperour of rome to him..Obligede [v.r. Obleged] bi his messagers alle þing þat was his. Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 81 King Jon..oblisshide his rewme of Ingelond and his lordshipe of Irlond in a thousand mark, to be paied yeer bi yeer. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Prov. xxii. 26 Nyle thou be with hem that oblischen [a1382 E.V. ficche doun] her hondis, and that proferen hem silf borewis for dettis. 1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. viii. 152 Yf thou wilt oblige thy sowle to me ayenst my hors, I wolle..playe wyth the. a1513 J. Irland Meroure of Wyssdome (1926) I. 92 This satisfaccioune mone be maid of a thing that is nocht sua oblist to God be ane vthire manere..of dete. 1675 A. Marvell Let. 11 May in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 155 The Gentlemen..were ordered to oblige each their Honour not to take any resentment. 1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 928 [He] forbid all the Prelates..to oblige their Lay-Fees to the See of Rome. 1750 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria (1752) 113 The ship is tacitly obliged for their wages. b. transitive. Scottish. To agree, commit to (a promise, a course of action). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > make conclude or seal (an agreement) binda1300 smitec1330 takec1330 ratify1357 knitc1400 enter1418 obligea1522 agree1523 conclude1523 strike1544 swap1590 celebrate1592 rate?1611 to strike up1646 form1736 firm1970 a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xiii. iii. 83 The haly promys and the bandis gent Of pece and concord oblisit and sworn. 4. transitive. to be obliged: to be morally or legally bound; (more generally) to be under a necessity, to be behoved. Frequently with to (or †till) or infinitive.Now overlapping with sense 13. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal obligation > be under legal obligation [verb (intransitive)] to be obliged1398 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)] shrive1338 to be boundc1360 to be holdena1375 to be obliged1398 oblige1548 obligate1955 the mind > emotion > gratitude > give thanks [verb (intransitive)] > be obliged to be obliged1552 owe1638 1398 in T. Rymer Fœdera (1710) VIII. 54 To the fulfillyng of the qwhilk the..Wardain of the Est Marche of Scotland is oblist, be his Letter to Sire Henri Percy..and the said Sire Henry is oblist, be his Letter to the said Erle. a1425 (a1400) Northern Pauline Epist. (1916) Heb. ii. 15 (MED) He schulde delyuere þem þe whiche..were oblyschid to seruage by alle þer lyfe. c1480 (a1400) St. Adrian 165 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 276 He wes obliste til his wyfe to speke with hir in-to his lyfe. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ix I promysed to the nought at al, in the presence of whom I am oblyged or bound. 1515 in H. Rose & L. Shaw Geneal. Deduction Family Rose of Kilravock (1848) 186 To the..keping of all thir conditionis..bayth the sadis parteis ar oblist and suorn ayn till other. 1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. vi. f. 17 We ar oblissit to lufe god. 1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem (Stat. Will. c. 19) f. 5 b The wyfe is nocht oblisched to accuse hir husband. 1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. i. 268 That Duty and Respect, wherein we stand obliged to others. 1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxi. 244 Martyr excused his coming, partly because he was obliged to the city and church of Zurick. 1757 D. Hume Hist. Great Brit. II. 63 The Princess Henrietta was obliged to lie abed, for want of a fire to warm her. 1810 S. Horsley Serm. (1811) 439 Thus it should seem that Christians are clearly obliged to the observance of a Sabbath. 1892 Times 24 Sept. 12/2 Foreign farmers are obliged to market their corn immense distances by rail, canal, and sea. 1940 J. F. Kennedy Why Eng. Slept (1962) iv. 69 By the treaty Germany was not allowed to have an air fleet; if, therefore, she was building one, England would either be obliged to declare the Treaty was at an end or be prepared to go in and stop her. 1981 A. Gray Lanark iii. iii. 22 It should last until you find work, but if you spend it before then this card entitles you to present another claim, which we shall be obliged, in due course, to honour. 5. a. transitive. Of an oath, promise, law, command, etc.: to bind (a person). With to or infinitive.Now overlapping with sense 13. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal obligation > put under legal obligation [verb (transitive)] > specifically of an oath or promise obligec1400 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] > specifically of an oath, promise, etc. obligec1400 combinea1616 c1400 Comm. on Canticles (Bodl. 288) in T. Arnold Sel. Eng. Wks. J. Wyclif (1871) III. 70 (MED) Gode deedis, in Goddis myraclis, oblischen men moore to serve God. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxviij^v The statutes and ordinaunces..dothe not oblige and bynde them to that case, but in certayne poyntes. ?1591 R. Bruce Serm. Sacrament i. sig. D7 The command oblishes zou to obey. 1649 W. Ball Power of Kings 8 As the Kings Oath tieth and obligeth Him to the People, certainly the Peoples Oath tieth and obligeth them to the King. 1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. i. 29 Christianity so much the more obliges us..to invoke the Assistance of the true God. 1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia I. 449 The names of those whom vicinity obliges to attendance are read over morning and evening. 1907 E. M. Forster Longest Journey xxix. 295 The letter censured the law of England, ‘which obliges us to behave like this’. 1992 Fleet Street Rep. 19 210 Neither those regulations nor any general principle of Community law obliges companies to do any more than supply the Commission with such information or documentation as it has requested under Article 11 of Regulation 17. b. transitive. With simple object: to bind (a person, conscience, etc.), to be binding on. Also intransitive. rare after 17th cent. ΚΠ a1402 J. Trevisa tr. R. Fitzralph Defensio Curatorum (Harl.) (1925) 68 (MED) He..seide þat freres beþ nouȝt y-holde to kepe þat heeste þat may nouȝt oblege wiþout assent of freres, & namelich, wiþ-oute assent of mynystres..& hit oblegide [v.r. oblege] his successour in noon maner wise, for of twey peres noþer haþ power & heeste ouer oþer. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 101 (MED) Four þingis are requirid to ilk vowe þat oblischiþ. a1540 (c1460) G. Hay tr. Bk. King Alexander 1944 Sen he haid oblist king for king..and onlie man for man. 1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. i. 47 Yet these Lawes would no wayes obliege them, unlesse they voluntarily consented and submitted to them in Parliament. 1673 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd II. 241 You say they are no Laws unless they oblige the Conscience. 1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature vii. 153 Two inconsistent laws cannot both oblige. 1962 J. L. Austin et al. How to do Things with Words i. 10 Thus ‘I promise to..’ obliges me—puts on record my spiritual assumption of a spiritual shackle. †II. To make liable to punishment, etc. 6. a. transitive. To make (a person) subject or liable to (or til) a bond, penalty, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > make subject to an action or influence > a bond, penalty, etc. oblige1340 society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > bind (a person) morally or legally [verb (transitive)] > make (a person) subject to a bond, etc. oblige1340 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)] shrenchc897 beswike971 betrapa1000 bewindOE undernimc1175 undertakec1175 bisayc1200 beguile?c1225 catchc1225 beginc1250 biwilea1275 tele?a1300 enginec1300 lime13.. umwrithea1340 engrin1340 oblige1340 belimec1350 enlacec1374 girnc1375 encumber138. gnarec1380 enwrap1382 briguea1387 snarl1387 upbroid1387 trap1390 entrikea1393 englue1393 gildera1400 aguilec1400 betraisec1400 embrygec1400 snare1401 lacea1425 maska1425 begluec1430 marl1440 supprise?c1450 to prey ona1500 attrap1524 circumvene1526 entangle1526 tangle1526 entrap1531 mesh1532 embrake1542 crawl1548 illaqueate1548 intricate1548 inveigle1551 circumvent1553 felter1567 besnare1571 in trick1572 ensnare1576 overcatch1577 underfong1579 salt1580 entoil1581 comprehend1584 windlassa1586 folda1592 solicit1592 toil1592 bait1600 beset1600 engage1603 benet1604 imbrier1605 ambush1611 inknot1611 enmesha1616 trammela1616 fool1620 pinion1621 aucupate1630 fang1637 surprise1642 underreacha1652 trepan1656 ensnarl1658 stalk1659 irretiate1660 coil1748 nail1766 net1803 to rope in1840 mousetrap1870 spider1891 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 113 Þe zenuolle..is y-obliged to zuo ane greate gauelinge. c1390 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale 847 This cursed synne anoyeth hire soule, for he obligeth it to synne and to peyne of deeth. c1425 Castle of Love (Egerton) (1967) l. 62 Alas, that synne oblisched vs al til wikkid hell-fire! 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 105 Quhen Adam sinnit he oblist hime self and al his offspring to the eternal deid. 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Pref. §14 It is to be inquired how these became laws; obliging us to sin, if we transgress. b. transitive (reflexive). [After classical Latin sē obligāre (especially in legal texts).] To render oneself liable to punishment, to involve oneself in guilt or legal liability. Now rare. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [verb (reflexive)] > involve oneself in guilt obligea1382 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) : Prov. (Bodl. 959) xiii. 13 Who bacbiteþ to any thyng, he oblischiþ hymself in to tyme to comen [L. ipse se in futurum obligat]. 1880 J. Muirhead tr. Gaius Institutes iii. 257 Most agree that, as theft depends upon intent, such a child can only oblige himself in respect of it when he is close upon puberty. †III. To bind with physical ties and related senses. 7. transitive (in passive). To be fettered, to be ensnared. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Psalms xix. 9 Þei ben oblisht [L. obligati sunt] & fellen. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xix. 9 Thai ere obligid, and thai fell. 8. transitive. To fasten or attach closely; to bind, tie up. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > attach or affix [verb (transitive)] fastenOE fasta1225 tachec1315 to-seta1340 catcha1350 affichea1382 to put ona1382 tacka1387 to put to1396 adjoina1400 attach?a1400 bend1399 spyndec1400 to-tachc1400 affixc1448 complexc1470 setc1480 attouch1483 found?1541 obligate1547 patch1549 alligate1563 dight1572 inyoke1595 infixa1616 wreathe1643 adlige1650 adhibit1651 oblige1656 adent1658 to bring to1681 engage1766 superfix1766 to lap on1867 accrete1870 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > bind, fetter, or shackle [verb (transitive)] bind971 to bind hand and footOE i-bindec1000 umgivea1300 warrok1362 hampera1375 bolt1377 shacklec1440 astrainc1475 estrain1483 to put in irons1533 to tie up1570 manacle1582 beshackle1599 to tie (also lay) neck and heels1618 fillet1633 kilta1689 to tie down1699 oblige1718 hog-tie1886 zip-tie1985 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. viii. 114 Touching is a spirit, extended from the Hegemonick part to the superficies, so that it perceiveth that which is obliged to it. 1718 P. Motteux Don Quixote (1865) ii. xvi. 293 As soon as Maritornes had fastened him, she..left him so strongly obliged, that it was impossible he should disengage himself. IV. To make indebted. 9. a. transitive. To bind or make indebted by conferring a favour; to gratify with or by doing something; to perform a service or kindness for, confer a favour on. Formerly (also): †to be of service to, to benefit (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > treat kindly [verb (transitive)] > be gracious or show favour to > do a favour to or treat favourc1374 to do a person (a) pleasure1460 to show a person (a) pleasure1460 oblige1567 engage1626 caress1679 serve1794 a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) 2074 (MED) If a woman..religion wil to hir craue, And hase non entisment þertil Bot oblis hir awn wil, Fully resauyed sal scho not be. 1567 G. Turberville tr. Ovid Heroycall Epist. 71 And oblige mee unto thee by this boone. a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 83 If any man be oblig'd, he will command him to remember the favour. 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 2 Here take oh Zani this ring of gold, and by giuing it to the sea, oblige it vnto thee. 1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin Holy Court I. 38 Pliny..pronounceth..That the greatest diuinity is to see a mortall man oblige his like. c1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) lviiii The quhilk commissioun wald be reformitt, cousand the banchors heir oblis thame in euerting expences. 1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. ii. 60 That her Family had oblig'd Hungary with a Queen, and France with a Gaston de Foix. 1704 W. M. Female Wits Pref. sig. A It having been..likely to have continued much longer, had the Company thought fit to oblige the Taste of the Town in General. 1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals v. iii O pray, Faulkland, fight to oblige Sir Lucius. 1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xv. 15 Oblige me with the milk. 1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 15 413 The customer requested the appellant, to oblige her, to send the loaves home with other goods she had purchased. 1902 H. James Wings of Dove I. xii. 268 You say you can do exactly as you like. Oblige me therefore by being so good as to do it. 1975 R. Davies World of Wonders (1977) ii. ii. 165 None of them seemed anxious to oblige the escape-artist by tying him up. 1992 Great Lakes Fisherman Jan. 39/3 Lake Superior's Keweenaw Bay..usually has sold ice in January, and coho salmon, brown trout and whitefish oblige anglers with steady action. †b. transitive. Of a service, kindness, etc.: to benefit, create a debt of gratitude in. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 85 If this tendernesse proceeded from a soft effeminate spirit, yet it would..oblige me infinitely unto you. 1685 R. Baxter Paraphr. New Test. Romans xvi. 4 The..helping an eminent Minister, may oblige many Churches. 1769 J. Sinclair Corr. (1831) II. 439 Your early attention to this application, will much oblige, Sir, your very faithful and obedient servant. c. intransitive. colloquial. To create a debt of gratitude. Now (usually): to perform a service or kindness; to do something desired or pleasing, esp. to entertain a gathering. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > show kindness [verb (intransitive)] > confer a favour oblige1734 1734 A. Pope Epist. to Arbuthnot 208 So obliging that he ne'er oblig'd [rhyme besieg'd]. 1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. vi. 48 Sir, would you obleege with the snuffers? 1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Nov. 7/1 To-night, Mr. Grossmith..and all the talents will oblige. 1897 tr. H. de Balzac Cousin Pons 12 He ‘obliged’ at the pianoforte. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 15 Apr. 2/1 A chairman was elected, obliged with a song, and then called upon a member of the company. When gents were shy, or dry, or both, professional talent obliged. 1910 A. Bennett Clayhanger i. x. 83 Gentleman all, Miss Florence Simcox..the champion clog-dancer of the Midlands, will now oblige. 1942 E. Waugh Put out More Flags (1943) ii. 69 There it is, mum. I'm sorry not to oblige. 1978 A. S. Byatt Virgin in Garden i. ix. 85 Once or twice he beat with frantic fists in the panel of the door, requiring answers, exits, explanations, which Marcus did not oblige with. d. intransitive. euphemistic. To act as a charwoman or cleaner. Also transitive: to clean for (a person); to assist (a person) with housework. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > be in domestic service [verb (intransitive)] > come in to work in a house > char or do odd jobs chore1746 chare1828 oblige1933 odd-job1944 society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > act as domestic servant [verb (transitive)] > clean house as charwoman > act as charwoman for oblige1933 1933 D. C. Peel Life's Enchanted Cup xix. 259 The mother took in washing and went out to ‘oblige’ and earned roughly 22s. a week and some of her food. 1937 E. Garnett Family from One End St. i. 13 She occasionally did odd work to ‘oblige’ Mrs. Theobald, the Vicar's wife. 1958 J. Cannan And be Villain iii. 51 I'm not in service. I oblige by the hour. 1963 A. Lubbock Austral. Roundabout 165 Twice a week a lady came to ‘oblige’ in the house. 1972 ‘A. Armstrong’ One Jump Ahead i. 8 A bachelor who..paid well and wasn't too fussy..was a far better proposition than some others she had ‘obliged’. a1978 S. T. Warner One Thing leading to Another (1985) 3 On Saturdays she could not come in the morning at all but obliged for an hour in the evening. 10. a. transitive (in passive). To be indebted or grateful to a person or (occasionally) a thing. Chiefly formal in later use. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)] shrive1338 to be boundc1360 to be holdena1375 to be obliged1398 oblige1548 obligate1955 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xxxix Yf yt chaunce me by your ayde..to recouer..I..shalbe so muche obliged and bounde vnto you. 1619 Sir H. Wotton Let. in S. R. Gardiner Lett. Relations Eng. & Germany (1865) 1st Ser. 49 For the foresaid resolution in youre Ma^tie ymplying..the good of so manie of your freindes, they held themselves eternally obliged. 1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. viii. 38 To those Hills..we are obliged for all our Metals. 1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 53 I told them, I was very much obliged to them for their Good-will. 1791 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 32/2 The republick of letters is infinitely obliged to M. Coste for the pains he has taken. 1836 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. vi. 453 There is an oversight in the article on Bacon, which I shall be much obliged to you to correct. 1881 O. Wilde More Lett. (1985) 35 I am much obliged for the present of your exquisitely pretty book. 1927 A. Conan Doyle Case-bk. Sherlock Holmes 26 I am exceedingly obliged to you for your co-operation. 1985 P. O'Donnell Dead Man's Handle xv. 224 We..are vastly obliged to you..for booking us into the Royal Oak tonight. 1990 L. Keane False Impressions (BNC) iii ‘Well, they can just think again,’ replied Rachel hotly, ‘and if anyone says anything to you on those lines I would be obliged if you would put them straight.’ b. transitive. much obliged: ‘I am very grateful’, ‘thank you very much’. ΚΠ 1788 J. O'Keeffe Farmer ii. ii. 35 Col. Dor.: Well, I'll speak to him. Jem.: Much obliged—here he is! 1866 W. Collins Armadale (ed. 3) II. ii. v. 53 ‘I have very few friends, Mr. Pedgift,’ returned Allan simply. ‘And I am sure you are one of the few.’ ‘Much obliged, Mr. Armadale.’ 1931 W. Faulkner Sanctuary xx. 215 ‘I'll give you a ride, this time,’ the driver said. ‘Much obliged,’ Horace said. 1992 G. M. Fraser Quartered Safe out Here 71 ‘W'eer the 'ell ye gan to ga in India—unless yer Jock theer, an' look like a bloody wog.’ ‘Much obliged.’ ‘No offence, lad.’ †11. transitive. To gratify, please, charm. Also intransitive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > please or give pleasure to [verb (transitive)] i-quemec893 ywortheOE queemeOE likeOE likeOE paya1200 gamec1225 lustc1230 apaya1250 savoura1300 feastc1300 comfort1303 glew1303 pleasec1350 ticklec1386 feedc1400 agreea1413 agreec1425 emplessc1450 gree1468 applease1470 complaire1477 enjoy1485 warm1526 to claw the ears1549 content1552 pleasure1556 oblect?1567 relish1567 gratify1569 sweeta1575 promerit1582 tinkle1582 tastea1586 aggrate1590 gratulatea1592 greeta1592 grace1595 arride1600 complease1604 honey1604 agrade1611 oblectate1611 oblige1652 placentiate1694 flatter1695 to shine up to1882 fancy- 1652 [implied in: E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 293 His Majesty's gracious letter..was not only most welcome but very obliging. (at obliging adj. 1b)]. 1673 tr. E. de Refuge Art of Complaisance 8 Without which it is impossible to oblige in conversation. 1679 G. Rose tr. P. Boaistuau Theatre of World Ded. 2 Perceiving many things in it which did oblige my fancy. 1709 J. Swift Crit. Ess. It was reasonable to suppose, you would be very much obliged with any thing, that was new. V. To constrain, compel. 12. transitive. To constrain, influence; to force, compel (a person). Frequently in passive. With to or infinitive. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to or into an action or state needeOE driveOE strainc1374 halec1400 plunge?c1400 thrust14.. pulla1425 put1425 compel1541 violent?1551 forcec1592 necessitate1629 oblige1632 dragoon1689 press1733 coercea1853 thirl1871 steamroller1959 arm-twist1964 society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something holdc1275 piltc1275 constraina1340 strength1340 distrainc1374 compelc1380 makec1395 distressa1400 stressa1400 art?1406 putc1450 coerce1475 cohert1475 enforce1509 perforce1509 forcec1540 violent?1551 press1600 necessitate1601 rack1602 restrain1621 reduce1622 oblige1632 necessiate1709 1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 91 I will obey you (my Lord) for all things oblige me so to doe. 1641 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls (1841) I. 394 That the oath which he had invented, obliedged the parliament..to ane accurate tryall of all plotters. 1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 66 See here the reasons which obliged this illustrious Prince to his resolution, and the true Motives of so glorious an action. 1675 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1905) III. 203 To obleidge all unfriemen..to liver and loaden all veschellis at Port Glasgow. 1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. iii. 75 From this time I resolve to oblige all my Family to serve God. 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 176 Self-preservation oblig'd the People to those Severities. 1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 23/2 He is so weak that he has been obliged to be held up by people when he came out of the house. 1808 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi iii. 215 I will give you a certificate from under my hand of my having obliged you to march. 1875 W. D. Howells Foregone Concl. 129 It is flattering to a man to be indispensable to a woman so long as he is not obliged to it. 1896 T. F. Tout Edward I (ed. 2) iv. 83 The royal officials committed so many misdeeds that the king on his return was obliged to make a stern example. 1905 E. Wharton House of Mirth ii. x. 469 I'm obliged to work for my living. 1947 E. Waugh Diaries (1979) 689 I dug the garden and became so painfully stiff that I was obliged to stop. 1987 M. Flannagan Trust (1988) xv. xix. 173 I was obliged by every sense of honour to help you. †13. transitive. To make imperative; to necessitate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > necessity > necessitate [verb (transitive)] necess?a1425 to call for ——1547 force1551 necessite1596 necessitate1601 oblige1638 necessiate1709 necessity1827 mean1841 1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 82 In some sort to oblige their dependance upon his acts and fortunes. 1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xiii. 60 Policy..obliged from the dear Gentleman this Frankness and Acknowlegement. 1866 Cornhill Mag. Dec. 734 The custom of the Elizabethan theatre obliged this double authorship. †14. transitive. To restrain from action, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > specifically from doing something conclude1382 restrain1384 refraina1398 keepa1400 to coart of1430 revokec1450 stop1488 contain1523 retract1548 stay1560 retire1567 straiten1622 confine1651 obligec1661 c1661 Argyle's Last Will in Harl. Misc. (1746) VIII. 29/1 [Argyle] being..to oblige from the Rebellion then on Foot, created a Marquis. 1674 in E. E. Rich Minutes Hudson's Bay Company (1942) 110 That the seaman & all others be obliged from any trade in all kinde of furres. 1709 J. Johnson Clergy-man's Vade Mecum: Pt. II p. lxxi To oblige the delinquent from the exercise of his function. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.1475v.a1325
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† obligen.

obligev.