| 释义 |
ob·li·gate
I. \-gə̇t, -ləˌgāt\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English obligat, from Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare
1.
a. obsolete : placed under obligation : bound
b. : restricted to a particular condition of life
< an obligate parasite >
< obligate anaerobes >
2. : completely unavoidable : essential, necessary
< the presence of mycorrhiza appears obligate to the healthy growth of many plants >
< following an obligate course of development >
• ob·li·gate·ly adverb
II. \ˈäbləˌgāt, usu -ād.+V\ transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare to oblige — more at oblige
1. obsolete : bind, fasten
2.
a. : to pledge as security
b. : to assign or commit (as funds) to meet a particular obligation
< the treasury had obligated anticipated receipts from the new tax >
3.
a. : to constrain or bind to some course of action (as by legal measures, moral or social considerations, or force of circumstances)
< obligated to pay alimony >
< community life obligates each of us to certain restraints and conformities >
b. : oblige 3a
< hoping to obligate enough of his colleagues to put over the measure >
< I don't like to be obligated to anybody >
4. : to put under a promise, vow, or oath especially as part of a ceremony of initiation into an organization |