v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obligated p. pr. & vb. n. Obligating. ] [ L. obligatus, p. p. of obligare. See Oblige. ] 1. To bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a constraining motive. “Obligated by a sense of duty.” Proudfit. [ 1913 Webster ]

That's your true plan -- to obligate
The present ministers of state. Churchill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

That they may not incline or be obligated to any vile or lowly occupations. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. under a moral obligation to someone.
Syn. -- beholden(predicate). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. under a legal obligation to someone.
Syn. -- indebted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc. Opposite of unobligated. [ Narrower terms: supposed(predicate), required ]
Syn. -- indebted. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige. ] 1. The act of obligating. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty. [ 1913 Webster ]

A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; -- often used with under to indicate being in that state; as, to place others under obligations to one. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things. [ 1913 Webster ]

Days of obligation. See under Day. --
under obligation,
under an obligation. in a state of obligation{ 4 }. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

adj. relating or constituting or qualified to create a legal or financial obligation; as, obligational authority. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖a. [ It. ] See Obbligato. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being obligatory. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. obligatorius: cf. F. obligatoire. ] Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a soldier. [ 1913 Webster ]

As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]