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Webster 1913 Edition


Obligatory

Ob′li-ga-to-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
obligatorius
: cf. F.
obligatoire
.]
Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; – often followed by on or upon;
as, obedience is
obligatory
on a soldier
.
As long as the law is
obligatory
, so long our obedience is due.
Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1828 Edition


Obligatory

OB'LIGATORY

,
Adj.
Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; followed by on; to is obsolete.
As long as law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due.

Definition 2024


obligatory

obligatory

English

Adjective

obligatory (comparative more obligatory, superlative most obligatory)

  1. Imposing obligation, morally or legally; binding.
    an obligatory promise
    • Richard Baxter
      [] if he speak the words of an oath in a strange language, thinking they signify something else, or if he spake in his sleep, or deliration, or distraction, it is no oath, and so not obligatory.
  2. Requiring a matter or obligation.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • obligatory in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913