obligation
/ˌɑ.blɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ noun B2- The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
- A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action. · I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.
- A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
- A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
- Reason for being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something.
Plural obligations
From the library
Darcy often acknowledged himself to be under the greatest obligations to my father’s active superintendence; and when, immediately before my father’s death, Mr.
“In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned.
It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could _feel_ gratitude, I would now thank you.
I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself, and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold to any human being.
Learn obligation in real texts
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