obtempérer

to comply, to obey (an order)

verb ob-tahm-peh-REH Rare

Origin: Latin obtemperare (to comply)

Usage Note

Obtempérer is a formal or legal verb, most often encountered in police and judicial contexts — refus d'obtempérer (failure to comply with a police order) is a specific criminal offence in France. It is always followed by à when taking an object: obtempérer à une injonction. In casual speech people say obéir instead.

Examples

"Le conducteur a refusé d'obtempérer."

Natural Translation

The driver refused to comply.

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