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it is called also a defective number; in the latter, an abundant number. -- Imperfect obligations (Law), obligations as of charity or gratitude, which cannot be enforced by law. -- Imperfect power (Math.), a number which can not be produced by taking any whole number or vulgar fraction, as a factor, the number of ti…

rlock. When a man employs a laborer to work for him, . . . the act of hiring implies an obligation and a promise that he shall pay him a reasonable reward for his services. Blackstone.

To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute. What fates impose, that men must needs abide. Shak. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton. Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. Waller.

That which is morally incumbent, or is imposed, as a rule, a duty, obligation, or responsibility. "The incumbencies of a family." Donne.

Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation; obligatory; always with on or upon. All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works that are incumbent on all Christians. Sprat.

To bring into debt; to place under obligation; -- chiefly used in the participle indebted. Thy fortune hath indebted thee to none. Daniel.

Brought into debt; being under obligation; held to payment or requital; beholden. By owing, owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and discharged. Milton.

Separate from; exclusive; irrespective. That obligation in general, under which we conceive ourselves bound to obey a law, independent of those resources which the law provides for its own enforcement. R. P. Ward.

n laid down as true, to draw in another as true. Locke. Such opportunities always infer obligations. Atterbury.

Breach of trust; unfaithfulness to a charge, or to moral obligation; treachery; deceit; as, the infidelity of a servant. "The infidelity of friends." Sir W. Temple.

Indifferent to obligation or duty. [Obs.] Thou drown'st thyself in inofficious sleep. B. Jonson.

ent; as, insensible to danger, fear, love, etc.; -- often used with of or to. Accept an obligation without being a slave to the giver, or insensible to his kindness. Sir H. Wotton. Lost in their loves, insensible of shame. Dryden.

H. of R., U. S. -- Joint and several (Law), a phrase signifying that the debt, credit, obligation, etc., to which it is applied is held in such a way that the parties in interest are engaged both together and individually thus a joint and several debt is one for which all the debtors may be sued together or either of…

adjective jural we shall denote that which has reference to the doctrine of rights and obligations; as by the adjective "moral" we denote that which has reference to the doctrine of duties. Whewell.

g or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any; violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; -- said both of persons and things. "O just but severe law!" Shak. There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Eccl. vii. 20. Just balances, just weights, . . .…

he principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness. Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne. Ps. ixxxix. 11. The king-becoming gra…

The fee of a knight; specif., the amount of land the holding of which imposed the obligation of knight service, being sometimes a hide or less, sometimes six or more hides.

7th century, who left the Roman Catholic Church and taught a kind of mysticism, and the obligation of community of property among Christians.

ients, or to advise as to prosecution or defence of lawsuits, or as to legal rights and obligations in other matters. It is a general term, comprehending attorneys, counselors, solicitors, barristers, sergeants, and advocates.

An obligation; a vow. [Obs.] They bound themselves by a sacred lay and oath. Holland.