1
Stage 1 of 4
ligare
Latin · ancient
"to bind"
to bind, combined with ob- (toward)
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Stage 2 of 4
obligare
Latin · ancient
"to bind toward, to commit"
to bind toward, to commit, from ob- and ligare
3
Stage 3 of 4
obligier
Old French · medieval
"to bind someone to a duty or promise"
carried into French for binding someone to a duty or promise
4
Stage 4 of 4
oblige
English · 1300s
"to bind someone by duty, or to do someone a favor"
settled as the English word for binding someone by duty or making them grateful
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