Beholden: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
beholden
[ bษชหhoสldษn ]
obligation to
Beholden means being under obligation to someone. This term is often used to express gratitude or indebtedness towards another person for a favor or support that has been provided. It carries a sense of moral or ethical responsibility that the person feels towards the one who has given help or assistance. In everyday conversation, saying you are beholden to someone can imply that you feel an element of loyalty or duty towards them due to their aid.
Synonyms
grateful, indebted, obligated, thankful
Examples of usage
- I am beholden to my mentor for their guidance.
- He felt beholden to return the favor after she helped him.
- Being beholden to someone can sometimes feel burdensome.
Translations
Translations of the word "beholden" in other languages:
๐ต๐น devedor
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฐเฅเคเคผเคฆเคพเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช verpflichtet
๐ฎ๐ฉ berutang
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะพะฑะพะฒ'ัะทะฐะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ zobowiฤ zany
๐ฏ๐ต ๆฉ็พฉใใใ
๐ซ๐ท redevable
๐ช๐ธ deudor
๐น๐ท borรงlu
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฑ๋ฌด์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฏูู
๐จ๐ฟ dluลพnรญk
๐ธ๐ฐ zรกvรคznรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ่ดๅบ่
๐ธ๐ฎ dolลพnik
๐ฎ๐ธ skuldari
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะฐััะทะดะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ borclu
๐ฒ๐ฝ deudor
Word origin
The word 'beholden' has its origins in the Middle English word 'beholden', which is derived from the Old English 'behealdan', meaning 'to hold' or 'to keep in view'. The prefix 'be-' is often used in English to indicate a sense of completeness or thoroughness, while the verb 'hold' pertains to having or maintaining something. Historically, the term has been associated with the idea of holding a duty or obligation to someone, often developed in feudal societies where allegiance was a critical social contract. As the English language evolved through the Renaissance and into modern usage, 'beholden' began to express a broader sense of social and moral indebtedness, becoming common in both literary and conversational contexts by the 19th century. Its use continues today, often conveying nuances of gratitude, obligation, and dependency in various interpersonal relationships.