All 50 Uses of
oblige
in
David Copperfield
- And I am so frightened that they are afterwards obliged to take me out of bed, and show me the quiet churchyard out of the bedroom window, with the dead all lying in their graves at rest, below the solemn moon.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- 'Much obliged to you, Peggotty,' returned my mother, in a cheerful voice, 'I have had a VERY pleasant evening.'
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- We strolled a long way, and loaded ourselves with things that we thought curious, and put some stranded starfish carefully back into the water — I hardly know enough of the race at this moment to be quite certain whether they had reason to feel obliged to us for doing so, or the reverse — and then made our way home to Mr. Peggotty's dwelling.
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)
- I am very much obliged to anybody who assists me, and I only want to be consulted as a mere form, sometimes.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2)
- I was obliged to get her to repeat it, for she spoke it the first time quite down my throat, in consequence of my having forgotten to take my mouth away from the keyhole and put my ear there; and though her words tickled me a good deal, I didn't hear them.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- I replied that he would much oblige me by drinking it, if he thought he could do it safely, but by no means otherwise.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 3)oblige = grant a favor
- I took heart to tell him that I had had nothing all night, and that if he would allow me to buy something to eat, I should be very much obliged to him.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- I am very much obliged to you.
Chpt 4-6 (definition 2)
- I was obliged to consider a little before I understood what Mr. Peggotty meant by this figure, expressive of a complete circle of intelligence.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- Then, she turned faint; and was so very ill that they were obliged to give her cherry brandy.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)
- What walks I took alone, down muddy lanes, in the bad winter weather, carrying that parlour, and Mr. and Miss Murdstone in it, everywhere: a monstrous load that I was obliged to bear, a daymare that there was no possibility of breaking in, a weight that brooded on my wits, and blunted them!
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)
- He was so fat that he was obliged to pant some time before he could say: 'That's right.'
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1)
- He had a hammer in his hand, and his mouth was full of little nails, which he was obliged to take out before he could speak.
Chpt 7-9 (definition 1) *obliged = required
- Greatly to the astonishment of the passengers in the street, as well as of her relations going on before, the good soul was obliged to stop and embrace me on the spot, with many protestations of her unalterable love.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- This obliged me to run after her, and she ran so fast that we were very near the cottage before I caught her.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- If so, it sharpened his appetite; for I distinctly call to mind that, although he had eaten a good deal of pork and greens at dinner, and had finished off with a fowl or two, he was obliged to have cold boiled bacon for tea, and disposed of a large quantity without any emotion.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 1)
- Your conduct has always been of the most delicate and obliging description.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 3)obliging = helpful or willing to be helpful
- In the course of that letter, I told Peggotty that I had a particular occasion for half a guinea; and that if she could lend me that sum until I could repay it, I should be very much obliged to her, and would tell her afterwards what I had wanted it for.
Chpt 10-12 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- 'I am very much obliged to you,' said my aunt; 'and so is he, I see; but —'
Chpt 13-15 (definition 2)
- Much obliged.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- I am greatly obliged, and I should like it of all things, I assure you; but I am far too umble.
Chpt 16-18 (definition 2)
- 'Ma'am,' returned Mr. Micawber, with a bow, 'you are very obliging: and what are you doing, Copperfield?'
Chpt 16-18 (definition 3)obliging = helpful or willing to be helpful
- At length, however, he got better, though he still panted hard, and was so exhausted that he was obliged to sit on the stool of the shop-desk.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- 'I was obliged to announce myself, somehow,' I replied.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- I was obliged to confess — I felt ashamed, even of being at this disadvantage before Littimer — that Miss Mowcher and I were wholly unacquainted.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- …at the doorway, thinking that Miss Mowcher was a long while making her appearance, when, to my infinite astonishment, there came waddling round a sofa which stood between me and it, a pursy dwarf, of about forty or forty-five, with a very large head and face, a pair of roguish grey eyes, and such extremely little arms, that, to enable herself to lay a finger archly against her snub nose, as she ogled Steerforth, she was obliged to meet the finger half-way, and lay her nose against it.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- How HE wears! and his wig too, for he's had it these ten years — and he went on at that rate in the complimentary line, that I began to think I should be obliged to ring the bell.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- He was got up with such care, and was so stiff, that he could hardly bend himself; being obliged, when he glanced at some papers on his desk, after sitting down in his chair, to move his whole body, from the bottom of his spine, like Punch.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- I laughed heartily at my own jokes, and everybody else's; called Steerforth to order for not passing the wine; made several engagements to go to Oxford; announced that I meant to have a dinner-party exactly like that, once a week, until further notice; and madly took so much snuff out of Grainger's box, that I was obliged to go into the pantry, and have a private fit of sneezing ten minutes long.
Chpt 22-24 (definition 1)
- He told me, when I shook hands with him, that he was proud to be noticed by me, and that he really felt obliged to me for my condescension.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- I could have wished he had been less obliged to me, for he hovered about me in his gratitude all the rest of the evening;
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2) *
- As he was obliged to leave early, on account of going away next morning for a month, I had not nearly so much conversation with him as I could have wished; but we exchanged addresses, and promised ourselves the pleasure of another meeting when he should come back to town.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- If I had been obliged to look at him with him splay foot on Mr. Wickfield's head, I think I could scarcely have hated him more.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)
- Oh, I'm so much obliged to you for this confidence!
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- As no arguments I could urge, in my bewildered condition, had the least effect upon his modesty in inducing him to accept my bedroom, I was obliged to make the best arrangements I could, for his repose before the fire.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- I listened to all this with attention; and though, I must say, I had my doubts whether the country was quite as much obliged to the Commons as Mr. Spenlow made out, I respectfully deferred to his opinion.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- She replied, 'My brother is robust, I am obliged to you.'
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)
- My daughter Dora having, unhappily, no mother, Miss Murdstone is obliging enough to become her companion and protector.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 3)obliging = helpful or willing to be helpful
- She came up to me one evening, when I was very low, to ask (she being then afflicted with the disorder I have mentioned) if I could oblige her with a little tincture of cardamums mixed with rhubarb, and flavoured with seven drops of the essence of cloves, which was the best remedy for her complaint; — or, if I had not such a thing by me, with a little brandy, which was the next best.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 3)oblige = grant a favor
- 'How do you do, Mr. Micawber?' said I. 'Sir,' said Mr. Micawber, 'you are exceedingly obliging.'
Chpt 25-27 (definition 3)obliging = helpful or willing to be helpful
- It would have been better, as it turned out, to have led gently up to this announcement, for Mrs. Micawber, being in a delicate state of health, was overcome by it, and was taken so unwell, that Mr. Micawber was obliged, in great trepidation, to run down to the water-butt in the backyard, and draw a basinful to lave her brow with.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- None, I am obliged to you, sir.
Chpt 28-30 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- If the individuals in the Money Market oblige Mr. Micawber to sustain a great sacrifice, that is between themselves and their consciences.†
Chpt 28-30 (definition 3)
- Traddles thanked us both, by saying, with a simplicity and honesty I had sense enough to be quite charmed with, 'I am very much obliged to you indeed.'
Chpt 28-30 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- I am very much obliged to you, Copperfield; but — I am afraid I have lent him that already.
Chpt 28-30 (definition 2)
- I took that opportunity, with my voice sticking in my throat, and my sight failing as I uttered the words, to express my hope that Miss Spenlow was quite well; to which Mr. Spenlow replied, with no more emotion than if he had been speaking of an ordinary human being, that he was much obliged to me, and she was very well.
Chpt 28-30 (definition 2)
- Since you oblige me to speak more plainly, which I am very unwilling to do, her humble connexions would render such a thing impossible, if nothing else did.†
Chpt 31-33 (definition 3)
- That, perhaps, it was a little unreasonable that these registrars in the receipt of profits amounting to eight or nine thousand pounds a year (to say nothing of the profits of the deputy registrars, and clerks of seats), should not be obliged to spend a little of that money, in finding a reasonably safe place for the important documents which all classes of people were compelled to hand over to them, whether they would or no.
Chpt 31-33 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
- 'I am very much obliged to you, indeed,' said Traddles, on hearing it was to be sent to where he lived, that night.
Chpt 34-36 (definition 2)obliged = grateful or indebted
- I was obliged to admit that Mr. Spenlow had considered it probable.
Chpt 34-36 (definition 1)obliged = required (to do something)
Definitions:
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(1) (oblige as in: I am obliged by law.) require (obligate) to do something
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(2) (obliged as in: I'm much obliged for your kindness) grateful or indebted
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(3) (oblige as in: I obliged her every request.) grant a favor to someone