bounden

American  

[boun-duhn] / ˈbaʊn dən /

adjective

1. obligatory; compulsory.

   one's bounden duty.

2. Archaic. under obligation; obliged; beholden.

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bounden British  

/ ˈbaʊndən /

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of bounden

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 • Dec. 15, 2021

Egil said: ”Tis but my bounden duty, lady, for the sake of Arinbjorn thy kinsman that I go, if Fridgeir thinks this any help to him.’

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2019

These pages feature a number of unusual words and phrases – "exposed", "leauened", "imitator", "ouerseen", "most bounden" – most of which are unfamiliar to Jonson or his contemporaries, but which are familiar to Florio.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2013

Cried overwrought Major Albert Braithwaite, M. P.: "I say to them it is their bounden duty to send us ships and boats to take our women and children across to their country."

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques