obligate

▸ verb /ˈɒblɪɡeɪt

1 [with object and infinitive] require or compel (someone) to undertake a legal or moral duty:

the medical establishment is obligated to take action in the best interest of the public.

2 [with object] US English commit (assets) as security:

the money must be obligated within 30 days.

▸ adjective Biology /ˈɒblɪɡət

/ restricted to a particular function or mode of life. Often contrasted with facultative:

an obligate intracellular parasite

the lynx is an obligate carnivore.

– DERIVATIVES

obligator noun

– ORIGIN late Middle English (as an adjective in the sense ‘bound by law’): from Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare (see oblige). The current adjectival use dates from the late 19th century.