Obliging
- Oblige O*blige" ([-o]*bl[imac]j"; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Obliged} ([-o]*bl[imac]jd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Obliging}
([-o]*bl[imac]"j[i^]ng).] [OF. obligier, F. obliger, L.
obligare; ob (see {Ob-}) + ligare to bind. See {Ligament},
and cf. {Obligate}.]
1. To attach, as by a bond. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
He had obliged all the senators and magistrates firmly to himself. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
2. To constrain by physical, moral, or legal force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something. [1913 Webster]
The obliging power of the law is neither founded in, nor to be measured by, the rewards and punishments annexed to it. --South. [1913 Webster]
Religion obliges men to the practice of those virtues which conduce to the preservation of our health. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
3. To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate. [1913 Webster]
Thus man, by his own strength, to heaven would soar, And would not be obliged to God for more. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
The gates before it are brass, and the whole much obliged to Pope Urban VIII. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]
I shall be more obliged to you than I can express. --Mrs. E. Montagu. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
obliging — o*bli ging ([ o]*bl[imac] j[i^]ng), a. Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind. [1913 Webster] Mons. Strozzi has many curiosities, and is very obliging to a stranger who desires the sight of them.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
obliging — obliging; un·obliging; … English syllables
obliging — index accommodation (adjustment), beneficial, benevolent, binding, charitable (lenient), civil (poli … Law dictionary
obliging — (adj.) willing to do service or favors, 1630s, prp. adjective from OBLIGE (Cf. oblige). Related: Obligingly … Etymology dictionary
obliging — good natured, complaisant, *amiable Analogous words: helping or helpful, aiding, assisting (see corresponding verbs at HELP): accommodating, favoring (see OBLIGE): *compliant, acquiescent: *thoughtful, considerate Antonyms: disobliging:… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
obliging — [adj] friendly, helpful accommodating, agreeable, amiable, cheerful, civil, complaisant, considerate, cooperative, courteous, eager to please, easy, easygoing, good humored, goodnatured, hospitable, kind, lenient, mild, polite, willing; concepts… … New thesaurus
obliging — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ willing to do a service or kindness; helpful. DERIVATIVES obligingly adverb … English terms dictionary
obliging — [ə blī′jiŋ, ōblī′jiŋ] adj. ready to do favors; helpful; courteous; accommodating SYN. AMIABLE obligingly adv … English World dictionary
obliging — [[t]əbla͟ɪʤɪŋ[/t]] ADJ GRADED (approval) If you describe someone as obliging, you think that they are willing and eager to be helpful. [OLD FASHIONED or WRITTEN] He is an extremely pleasant and obliging man. Syn: accommodating Derived words:… … English dictionary
obliging — obligingly, adv. obligingness, n. /euh bluy jing/, adj. 1. willing or eager to do favors, offer one s services, etc.; accommodating: The clerk was most obliging. 2. obligating. [1630 40; OBLIGE + ING2] Syn. 1. helpful, kind, friendly. * * * … Universalium
