Disobliges

/ˌdɪsəˈblaɪdʒɪz/ verb

Definition

Third person singular or plural of disoblige; to treat someone unkindly by refusing to help or accommodate them.

Etymology

From disoblige (verb) + -es suffix. Disoblige comes from French désobliger, combining dis- (opposite) + obliger (to oblige). The verb form emerged in English in the 17th century.

Kelly Says

The verb 'disoblige' was much more common in earlier English, appearing frequently in literature to describe social slights—it's almost like the formal version of 'being rude.' Modern English speakers would just say 'he won't help' rather than 'he disobliges.'

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