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self-mortification

[self-mawr-tuh-fi-key-shuh n]
See more synonyms for self-mortification on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the inflicting of pain or privation on oneself: He was certain that self-mortification was the only road to salvation.
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Origin of self-mortification

First recorded in 1815–25
Related formsself-mor·ti·fied [self-mawr-tuh-fahyd, self-] /ˌsɛlfˈmɔr təˌfaɪd, ˈsɛlf-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for self-mortification

Historical Examples

  • I do not bid you do aught of this for self-mortification's sake, but that you may derive some after-blessing from it.

    Hellenica

    Xenophon

  • Prayer and self-mortification were the pleasures of his youth.

  • In company with other monks, Siddhattha sought for a while enlightenment by self-mortification.

    The Buddha

    Paul Carus

  • It exhibited little of the appearance of a life of penance and self-mortification.

    Mexico and its Religion

    Robert A. Wilson

  • And he led him to turn for comfort, not to penance and self-mortification, but to his own Word.

    The Spanish Brothers

    Deborah Alcock