mortify
[ mawr-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈmɔr təˌfaɪ /
verb (used with object), mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing.
to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one's pride or self-respect.
to subjugate (the body, passions, etc.) by abstinence, ascetic discipline, or self-inflicted suffering.
Pathology. to affect with gangrene or necrosis.
verb (used without object), mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing.
to practice mortification or disciplinary austerities.
Pathology. to undergo mortification; become gangrened or necrosed.
Nearby words
mortice, mortician, mortiferous, mortification, mortified, mortify, mortifying, mortimer, mortise, mortise block, mortise chisel
Origin of mortify
1350–1400; Middle English mortifien < Middle French mortifier < Late Latin mortificāre “to put to death,” equivalent to Latin morti- (stem of mors) “death” + -ficāre -fy
SYNONYMS FOR mortify
Related forms
Synonym study
1. See ashamed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for mortify
British Dictionary definitions for mortify
mortify
/ (ˈmɔːtɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
(tr) to humiliate or cause to feel shame
(tr) Christianity to subdue and bring under control by self-denial, disciplinary exercises, etc
(intr) to undergo tissue death or become gangrenous
Derived Forms
mortifier, nounmortifying, adjectivemortifyingly, adverbWord Origin for mortify
C14: via Old French from Church Latin mortificāre to put to death, from Latin mors death + facere to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medicine definitions for mortify
mortify
[ môr′tə-fī′ ]
v.
To undergo mortification; to become gangrenous or to necrotize.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.