Definition of "bounden" [bound•en]

• Obligatory: their bounden duty. (adjective)
• Archaic Being under obligation; obliged. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Mr Virgo made it clear to the editor that it was his bounden duty to pass any information he might receive notifying the whereabouts of Biggs to police and this the editor said he would be happy to do..."
• "He feels it is his bounden duty to resurrect the ancient spirit of the Church and to deliver its message to the masters."
• "No matter how much whisky was poured down his neck, O'Brien could not be brought to realize that it was his bounden and friendly duty to sell his claim."