bounden

[ boun-duhn ]

adjective

1. obligatory; compulsory:

   one's bounden duty.

2. Archaic. under obligation; obliged; beholden.

bounden

/ ˈbaʊndən /

adjective

1. morally obligatory (archaic except in the phrase bounden duty )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bounden¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bound ¹

Example Sentences

“There is a bounden duty on the government to provide basic amenities to the citizens of the country.”

From New York Times

They consider it no less than their bounden duty to bring back a larger fish than last year.

From Literature

Yet the penguins, seals, sea-lions, and sea-elephants which contrived to maintain a hold on life in those inhospitable regions represent types of animal life which it was our bounden duty to preserve.

From Nature

This prompted 300 other citizens to complain: “We feel it our bounden duty to protest and to express our utter disapprobation of the unexpected and unnecessary violence by which the assembly was dispersed.”

From The Guardian

They are trolling for votes, their bounden duty, and they are fishing in promising waters.

From Washington Times