Associations to the word «Oblige»

Wiktionary

OBLIGE, verb. (transitive) To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
OBLIGE, verb. (transitive) To do someone a service or favour (hence, originally, creating an obligation).
OBLIGE, verb. (intransitive) To be indebted to someone.
OBLIGE, verb. (intransitive) To do a service or favour.

Dictionary definition

OBLIGE, verb. Force somebody to do something; "We compel all students to fill out this form".
OBLIGE, verb. Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise".
OBLIGE, verb. Provide a service or favor for someone; "We had to oblige him".

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats