▪ I. obliging, vbl. n.
(əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ)
[f. oblige v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. oblige, in its various senses; obligation. (Now only gerundial.)
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 431 It is greet oblishyng to be bonde to perpetual kepyng of siche maner signes. c 1470 Henryson Mor. Fab. x. (Fox & Wolf) vii, ‘Gaif I my hand or oblissing?’ said he, ‘Or haif ye writ or witnes for to schaw?’ 1563 Winȝet Four Scoir Thre Quest. Wks. 1888 I. 60 He labouris to fulfill his oblising. 1676 Phil. Trans. XI. Ded., Nations..contending..who shall excel the other in the most beneficial obligings of Mankind. |
▪ II. obliging, ppl. a.
(əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ)
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That obliges.
1. That imposes obligation; binding in law or morality; obligatory. Now rare.
| 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. iii. §54. 161 Whether the Decree of a Councell, without the Popes confirmation, be such an obliging proposall. 1678 J. Brown Life of Faith ii. ix. (1824) 238 The ceremonial law was not obliging. 1748 G. White Serm. (MS.), Yet the Second [Commandment] ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ is..as necessary and obliging. [1875 E. White Life in Christ ii. x. (1878) 99 The all-obliging commandment of the Supreme.] |
2. Of persons, their disposition, etc.: That confers or is willing to confer kindnesses; ready to do services or favours or show polite attention; complaisant, courteous, civil, accommodating.
| 1632 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 86 You being the obliging, I must consequently needs be the obliged unto you. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 305 Of a very gentle and obliging Nature. 1772 Miss Wilkes in Wilkes's Corr. (1805) IV. 102 My uncle Heaton was so obliging as to call here yesterday. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 65 The inn..was clean and comfortable..and the landlady civil and obliging. a 1859 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxiii. V. 81 Keppel had a sweet and obliging temper. |
b. Of actions, words, etc.: Courteous, civil, polite; † gratifying, pleasing (obs.).
| 1635–56 Cowley Davideis iii. 931 All that was done, or said; the Grief, Hope, Fears, His troubled Joys, and her obliging Tears. 1652 Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) 293 His Majesty's gracious letter..was not only most welcome but very obliging. a 1713 T. Ellwood Autobiog. (1765) 193 The Endowments of her Mind were every way extraordinary and highly obliging. 1781 Cowper Lett. Wks. 1837 XV. 67 My principal design is to thank you..for your obliging present. 1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) II. vii. 112 He spoke some obliging words to Gen. Cohorn on the feat of gallantry he had displayed. |