obligation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ (UK); /ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/, /ˌɑ.bləˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English obligacioun, borrowed from Old French obligacion (“obligation, duty, responsibility”) and directly from Latin obligātiō, obligātiōnem, an engaging or pledging, literally a binding,^[2][3] from obligātus, past participle of obligāre, to bind, bind up, figuratively to put under obligation (see oblige).^[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The act of binding oneself by oath, promise or contract: 1297 in the OED; a binding pledge, about 1300 in Etymonline.^[5][2]

Semantic evolution

In law, an agreement enforceable by law, especially a written bond, is from 1382.^[5] Moral or legal constraint, the condition of being bound, is from 1602,^[5] and an action one is bound to perform, a duty, from 1605.^[5] The fact of being indebted to someone for a benefit, and the benefit itself, a kindness, are from the 17th century (1632 and 1618).^[5]

Timeline

• 1297 – a binding pledge.^[5]
• 1382 – a legal agreement.^[5]
• 1602 – moral or legal constraint.^[5]
• 1605 – a duty.^[5]
• 1632 – indebtedness for a favour.^[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A moral or legal requirement; a duty.
2. The act of binding oneself by a promise or contract, or the state of being so bound.
3. (law) A legally enforceable agreement, especially to pay money, or the document recording it.
4. A debt of gratitude for a favour, or the favour itself.

Word family

• obligational
• holy day of obligation

Related words

• obligate
• obligato
• oblige
• obligee
• obliging
• obligor
• obligatory
• ligament
• ligature

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Klein, Ernest. A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language. 2 vols. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1966–1967.
4. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press