MORTIFICATION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Mortification

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noun

Mortification n.

The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified; especially:

(a)

(Med.) The death of one part of an animal body, while the rest continues to live; loss of vitality in some part of a living animal; gangrene.

(b)

(Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. (Obs.)

(c)

Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, abstinence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. "The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable."

Deep humiliation or shame, from a loss of pride; painful embarassment, usually arising from exposure of a mistake; chagrin; vexation.

That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. "It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit."

(Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious institution; nearly synonymous with mortmain.

Synonyms: Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin.

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Etymology of 'Mortification'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Mortification" Quotes from Famous Books

... start, the English were ready to meet them within a few miles of the coast of Holland; after a tremendous battle the broken remnant of the Dutch fleet returned to the harbour defeated. The rage and mortification of Wolfe Tone at his ...

— Is Ulster Right? • Anonymous

... were out she tingled with mortification at having spoken them in Garth's presence. But he assumed a critical interest in the picture, and Michael, in the first flush of achievement, had eyes and thoughts ...

— The Great Amulet • Maud Diver

... Confession and communion were frequent, but no uniform rule was enforced. In this, as in fasting and austerities generally, each recluse was left to his own free will; and, as will be seen in Pascal’s case, there was no need to stimulate the morbid desire for bodily mortification. ...

— Pascal • John Tulloch

... same feelings, if he married officially as the King, and not lovingly as a man, how came it to pass that he was thrown into such an agony of rage, when, being nearly fifty years old, ugly Anne of Cleves was provided for him? His disappointment and mortification were then so great that they hastened that political change which led to Cromwell's fall and execution. When Henry first saw the German lady, he was as much affected as George, Prince of Wales, was when he first saw Caroline of Brunswick, but he behaved ...

— Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 57, July, 1862 - A Magazine Of Literature, Art, And Politics • Various

... not run away from the rebels with my socks on your feet. You may retreat when your officers order you to retire; but if you are a coward, and find yourself compelled to run away, please pull them off before you do so, for I should die with mortification if I thought I had knit a pair of socks for a Union soldier to ...

— The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army - A Story of the Great Rebellion • Oliver Optic

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