obligation English · revision 10272

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1297|origins=fro obligacion|origins=la obligatio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ ''(UK)''; /ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/, /ˌɑ.bləˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English obligacioun, [[bor|fro|obligacion|t=obligation, duty, responsibility]] and directly from Latin obligātiō, obligātiōnem, an engaging or pledging, literally a binding,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from obligātus, past participle of obligāre, to bind, bind up, figuratively to put under obligation (see [[oblige]]).^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of binding oneself by oath, promise or contract: 1297 in the OED; a binding pledge, about 1300 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In law, an agreement enforceable by law, especially a written bond, is from 1382.^(OED 1989) Moral or legal constraint, the condition of being bound, is from 1602,^(OED 1989) and an action one is bound to perform, a duty, from 1605.^(OED 1989) The fact of being indebted to someone for a benefit, and the benefit itself, a kindness, are from the 17th century (1632 and 1618).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – a binding pledge.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – a legal agreement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1602 – moral or legal constraint.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1605 – a duty.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1632 – indebtedness for a favour.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A moral or legal requirement; a [[duty]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of binding oneself by a promise or contract, or the state of being so bound.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' A legally enforceable agreement, especially to pay money, or the document recording it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A debt of gratitude for a favour, or the favour itself.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[obligational]]

+ * [[holy day of obligation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obligate]]

+ * [[obligato]]

+ * [[oblige]]

+ * [[obligee]]

+ * [[obliging]]

+ * [[obligor]]

+ * [[obligatory]]

+ * [[ligament]]

+ * [[ligature]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}