oblige

Where does the word "oblige" come from? It comes from Latin ligare, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Oblige’s story begins in Latin: ligare meant “to bind.” To bind, combined with ob- (toward). Within Latin, it grew into obligare by ancient. To bind toward, to commit, from ob- and ligare. From there it passed into Old French as obligier by medieval. Carried into French for binding someone to a duty or promise. It reached English by 1300s as oblige. Settled as the English word for binding someone by duty or making them grateful. Today, oblige means to bind someone morally or legally, or to do someone a favor.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ligare "to bind", to bind, combined with ob- (toward).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient obligare "to bind toward, to commit", to bind toward, to commit, from ob- and ligare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval obligier "to bind someone to a duty or promise", carried into French for binding someone to a duty or promise.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s oblige "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.