Obligation
/ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/noun
A duty or commitment to perform a certain action or fulfill a condition.
Did you know?In ancient Roman law, obligations were often seen as sacred ties, binding individuals not just legally but spiritually, invoking the power of the gods in agreements.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leig-
“to bind or tie.”
Latin
Latin
obligatio
“a binding or tying of oneself.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
obligatio
“a commitment, duty, or bond.”
Old French
Old French
obligation
“a bond or duty, often with moral implications.”
Middle English
Middle English
obligacioun
“a duty or bond, both legally and ethically.”
Modern English
English
obligation
“a legal or moral commitment to act.”