The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Mortification \Mor`ti*fi*ca"tion\, 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]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Mortmain \Mort"main`\, n. [F. mort, morte, dead + main hand; F.
   main-morte. See Mortal, and Manual.] (Law)
   Possession of lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead
   hands, or hands that cannot alienate.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The term was originally applied to conveyance of land
         made to ecclesiastical bodies; afterward to conveyance
         made to any corporate body. --Burrill.
         [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

mortmain
    n 1: real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical
         corporation) [syn: mortmain, dead hand]
    2: the oppressive influence of past events or decisions [syn:
       dead hand, dead hand of the past, mortmain]