obligate
[ verb ob-li-geyt; adjective ob-li-git, -geyt ]
/ verb ˈɒb lɪˌgeɪt; adjective ˈɒb lɪ gɪt, -ˌgeɪt /
verb (used with object), ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing.
to bind or oblige morally or legally: to obligate oneself to purchase a building.
to pledge, commit, or bind (funds, property, etc.) to meet an obligation.
adjective
morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.
necessary; essential.
Biology.
restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen: obligate anaerobe (opposed to facultative).
Origin of obligate
OTHER WORDS FROM obligate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obligate
obligate obligeWords nearby obligate
obl.,
oblanceolate,
oblast,
oblate,
oblation,
obligate,
obligate aerobe,
obligate anaerobe,
obligate parasite,
obligation,
obligational
Example sentences from the Web for obligate
British Dictionary definitions for obligate
obligate
/ (ˈɒblɪˌɡeɪt) /
verb
to compel, constrain, or oblige morally or legally
(in the US) to bind (property, funds, etc) as security
adjective
compelled, bound, or restricted
biology
able to exist under only one set of environmental conditions
an obligate parasite cannot live independently of its host Compare facultative (def. 4)
Derived forms of obligate
obligable, adjective obligative, adjective obligator, nounWord Origin for obligate
C16: from Latin
obligāre to
oblige
Medical definitions for obligate
obligate
[ ŏb′lĭ-gĭt, -gāt′ ]
adj.
Able to exist or survive only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role.
Scientific definitions for obligate
obligate
[ ŏb′lĭ-gĭt, -gāt′ ]
Capable of existing only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. An obligate aerobe, such as certain bacteria, can live only in the presence of oxygen. An obligate parasite cannot survive independently of its host. Compare facultative.