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obligate

Translate obligate | into Spanish
Definition of obligate

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɒblɪgeɪt/
  • 1 [with object and infinitive] require or compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty:the medical establishment is obligated to take action in the best interest of the public
  • 2 [with object] US commit (assets) as security:the money must be obligated within 30 days

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɒblɪgət/
[attributive] Biology
  • restricted to a particular function or mode of life:an obligate intracellular parasiteOften contrasted with facultative.

Derivatives

obligator

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (as an adjective in the sense 'bound by law'): from Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare (see oblige). The current adjectival use dates from the late 19th century

obligate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of obligate in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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