mortality

[mawr-tal-i-tee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mortality ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural mor·tal·i·ties.

the state or condition of being subject to death; mortal character, nature, or existence.

the relative frequency of deaths in a specific population; death rate.

mortal beings collectively; humanity.

death or destruction on a large scale, as from war, plague, or famine.

Obsolete. death.

Nearby words

Origin of mortality

1300–50; Middle English mortalite < Middle French < Latin mortālitās. See mortal, -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mortality

With a mortality rate of 70 percent, the more cases that arise, the deadlier this epidemic becomes.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And at the time he wrote that letter, Derek was also conscious of his own mortality.
The Queer Genius of Film Director Derek Jarman|Tim Teeman|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His beloved collie-shepherd Honey died of cancer this summer, which made Cumming think about his own mortality.
Alan Cumming: The Truth About My Father|Tim Teeman|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Among medical personnel, there were 416 confirmed cases and 233 deaths, a mortality rate of more than 56 percent.
Can You Treat Ebola—And Stay Safe?|Abby Haglage, Kent Sepkowitz|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“With a mortality rate at about 60 percent, there is a great chance that they will live,” he continued.
The Only Thing More Terrifying Than Ebola Is Being Pregnant With Ebola|Kent Sepkowitz, Abby Haglage|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What is the average rate of mortality amongst cows attacked with this disease?
The American Reformed Cattle Doctor|George Dadd
But now it seemed as though nothing could cope with the fearful increase of the mortality.
The Sign Of The Red Cross|Evelyn Everett-Green
So far are we pagans: join with us in these heathen rites wherein we rejoice in our life and forget our mortality.
The Chaplain of the Fleet|Walter Besant and James Rice
The effect of the mortality upon trade and industry was, momentarily, to paralyse them.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II)|Charles Creighton
In the epidemics the mortality is much higher than in the sporadic cases.
Disease and Its Causes|William Thomas Councilman

British Dictionary definitions for mortality

mortality

noun plural -ties

the condition of being mortal

great loss of life, as in war or disaster

the number of deaths in a given period

mankind; humanity

an obsolete word for death

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mortality

mortality

mid-14c., "condition of being mortal," from Old French mortalite "massacre, slaughter; fatal illness; poverty; destruction" (12c.), from Latin mortalitem (nominative mortalitas) "state of being mortal; subjection to death," from mortalis (see mortal (adj.)). Meaning "widespread death" is from c.1400; meaning "number of deaths from some cause or in a given period" is from 1640s.

Medicine definitions for mortality

mortality

[môr-tăl′ĭ-tē]

n.

The quality or condition of being mortal.

Death rate.

mortality

noun, plural mor·tal·i·ties.

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Nearby words

Origin of mortality

Examples from the Web for mortality

mortality

noun plural -ties

mortality

mortality

n.