Advertisement

mortification (n.)

late 14c., mortificacioun, "mortifying of the flesh, act of subduing the passions and appetites, suppression of bodily desires," from Late Latin mortificationem (nominative mortificatio) "a killing, putting to death," from past-participle stem of mortificare (see mortify). Meaning "death of one part of the body while the rest is still alive" is from early 15c. Sense of "feeling of humiliation" is recorded by 1640s.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of mortification from WordNet

mortification (n.)
strong feelings of embarrassment;
Synonyms: chagrin / humiliation
mortification (n.)
the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply);
Synonyms: necrosis / gangrene / sphacelus
mortification (n.)
an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect;
Synonyms: humiliation
mortification (n.)
(Christianity) the act of mortifying the lusts of the flesh by self-denial and privation (especially by bodily pain or discomfort inflicted on yourself);
From wordnet.princeton.edu