Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
oblige
\\ə-ˈblīj\\ verb
(obliged ; oblig·ing) ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French obliger, from Latin obligare, literally, to bind to, from ob- toward + ligare to bind — more at ligature
DATE 14th century
transitive verb1. to constrain by physical, moral, or legal force or by the exigencies of circumstance
obliged to find a job2.
a. to put in one's debt by a favor or service
we are much obliged for your help
b. to do a favor for
always ready to oblige a friendintransitive verb: to do something as or as if as a favor
Synonyms: see force
•
oblig·er noun oblige
c.1300, "to bind by oath," from O.Fr. obligier, from L. obligare, from ob "to" + ligare "to bind," from PIE base *leig- "to bind" (see ligament). Main modern meaning "to make (someone) indebted by conferring a benefit or kindness" is from 1560s.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
oblige
ob·lige / E5blaidV / verb1. [VN to inf] [usually passive] to force sb to do sth, by law, because it is a duty, etc.
(以法律、义务等)强迫,迫使:
Parents are obliged by law to send their children to school.
法律规定父母必须送子女入学。
I felt obliged to ask them to dinner.
我不得不请他们吃饭。
He suffered a serious injury that obliged him to give up work.
他受伤严重,不得已只好辞掉工作。
2. ~ sb (by doing sth) | ~ sb (with sth) to help sb by doing what they ask or what you know they want
(根据要求或需要)帮忙,效劳:
▪ [V]
Call me if you need any help—I'd be happy to oblige.
若有需要,尽管给我打电话。我很乐意帮忙。
▪ [VN]
(formal) Would you oblige me with some information?
拜托您给我透露些消息好吗？
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishoblige
verb
ADV. duly The fans were looking for another goal and Owen duly obliged (= scored). | kindly
VERB + OBLIGE be delighted to, be glad to, be (only too) happy to, be pleased to, be willing to The staff are always happy to oblige. | hasten to
PREP. by Will you oblige by filling in this form? | with Would you be willing to oblige us with some information?
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
oblige
\əˈblīj\
verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English
obligen, from Old French
obliger, from Latin
obligare, from
ob- to, against, over +
ligare to bind, tie — more at
ob-
,
ligature
transitive verb1. : to constrain (as another or oneself) by physical, moral, or legal force
: put under obligation to do or to forbear from doing something
< necessity obliged him to this crime >
< we obliged ourselves to settle our father's bills >
< the soldiers were obliged to retreat >
< the law obliges everyone to pay his taxes >2.
a. obsolete : to pledge as security
: pawn
,
mortgage
b. obsolete : to bind as subject to a penalty (as by a bond)
c. : to make (oneself) liable to punishment under the law
3.
a. : to bind by a favor or service performed
: place under obligation by helping or favoring
: make indebted by such treatment
< you will oblige me greatly if you get there early >
b. : to do a favor or minor service for
< always seeking to oblige his friends >
c. obsolete : please
,
accommodate
,
gratify
d. dialect : to work for especially in a domestic capacity
< used to oblige a few favored neighbors on festive occasions >
e. : to make a loan to
< can you oblige me with a few dollars >intransitive verb: to do something as or as if a favor
< the sun obliged somewhat fitfully — Mollie Panter-Downes >
as
a. : to perform by way of entertainment
< the quartet will oblige with a song >
b. dialect : to work for someone especially in a domestic capacity
< she obliged for the cottagers in summer >Synonyms:
oblige
,
accommodate
,
favor
all signify to do a service or perform a courtesy.
oblige
suggests the doing of something that is so pleasing or so especially convenient for someone else that it could be thought to, though does not necessarily, create an obligation
< oblige a friend by lending him money >
< the hotel obliged by serving them meals at odd hours with no extra charge >
< oblige me by retiring for the night — George Meredith >
accommodate
, often interchangeable with
oblige, usually suggests the putting of oneself to some inconvenience or sacrifice to oblige; in its very common use in business it frequently suggests a practical or commercial motive above that of goodwill
< accommodate a friend with the loan of a car >
< keep exotic foods in stock to accommodate special customers >
favor
usually confines the service or courtesy to one of goodwill
< favor one's friends with many small kindnesses >
< favor an audience with an encore >
although it has come, in this sense, to suggest often a supercilious or patronizing quality in the action
< favor common people around him with a cold smile >
< favor his admirers with a glance >
< favor his parents with a yearly letter >Synonym: see in addition force
.
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noblesse oblige