I. In gen.
A. A binding (post-class. and very rare): “propter linguae obligationem,” because of his being tongue-tied, Just. 13, 7, 1.—
B. Trop., an ensnaring, entangling: “innocentium,” Dig. 48, 10, 1: “declinantes in obligationes,” evil devices, Vulg. Psa. 124, 5: “in obligatione iniquitatis,” id. Act. 8, 23.—
II. In partic., jurid. t. t.
A. An engaging or pledging, an obligation: “est gravior et difficilior animi et sententiae pro aliquo quam pecuniae obligatio,” Cic. Ep. ad Brut. 1, 18, 3: “obligationis onere praetoris auxilio non levabitur,” Dig. 3, 3, 67: “obligationes ex contractu aut re contrahuntur, aut verbis, aut consensu,” ib. 44, 7, 1, § 1.—
B. Transf., an obligatory relation between two persons, one of whom has a right and the other a duty (the right of the creditor and the duty of the debtor): “nunc transeamus ad obligationes: omnis enim obligatio vel ex contractu nascitur vel ex delicto,” Gai. Inst. 3, 88; cf. “sqq.: obligationum substantia in eo consistit, ut alium nobis obstringat ad dandum aliquid, vel faciendum, vel praestandum,” Dig. 44, 7, 3; 45, 1, 108: “ex maleficio nascuntur obligationes,” ib. 44, 7, 4: “obligatio et constituitur et solvitur,” ib. 46, 4, 8: “exstinguitur,” ib. 45, 1, 140: “submovetur,” ib. 2, 14, 27 et saep.—