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

IT is very meet, right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord.

From BBC

And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; and to grant that all we, who are partakers of this holy communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

From BBC

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

From New York Times

Ned, being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assume.

From Literature

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

From Literature