a. [ L. mortifier; mors, mortis, death + ferre to bring: cf. F. mortifère. ] Bringing or producing death; deadly; destructive; as, a mortiferous herb. Gov. of Tongue. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. mortificatio a killing. See Mortify. ] 1. 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. Dunglison. (b) (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. [ Obs. ] Bacon. (c) Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, abstinence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Deep humiliation or shame, from a loss of pride; painful embarassment, usually arising from exposure of a mistake; chagrin; vexation. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Chagrin; vexation; shame. See Chagrin. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. of Mortify. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Deeply embarrased; painfully humiliated. [ PJC ]

n. The state of being mortified; humiliation; subjection of the passions. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, mortifies. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Mortified p. pr. & vb. n. Mortifying ] [ OE. mortifien, F. mortifier, fr. L. mortificare; L. mors, mortis, death + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mortal, and -fy. ] 1. To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of; to produce gangrene in. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of; to change by chemical action. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

He mortified pearls in vinegar. Hakewill. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To deaden by religious or other discipline, as the carnal affections, bodily appetites, or worldly desires; to bring into subjection; to abase; to humble; as, to mortify the flesh. [ 1913 Webster ]

With fasting mortified, worn out with tears. Harte. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mortify thy learned lust. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth. Col. iii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To affect with vexation, chagrin; to depress. [ 1913 Webster ]

The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which exceedingly mortified our expectations. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

How often is the ambitious man mortified with the very praises he receives, if they do not rise so high as he thinks they ought! Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To humiliate deeply, especially by injuring the pride of; to embarrass painfully; to humble; as, the team was mortified to lose by 45 to 0. [ 1913 Webster + PJC ]

v. i. 1. To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living body; to gangrene. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline. [ 1913 Webster ]

This makes him . . . give alms of all that he hath, watch, fast, and mortify. Law. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Tending to mortify; affected by, or having symptoms of, mortification; as, a mortifying wound; mortifying flesh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as, mortifying penances. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Tending to humble or abase; humiliating; as, a mortifying repulse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a mortifying manner. [ 1913 Webster ]