[syn: demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifying]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Mortify \Mor"ti*fy\, 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.
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            Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. --Bacon.
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            He mortified pearls in vinegar.       --Hakewill.
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   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.
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            With fasting mortified, worn out with tears.
                                                  --Harte.
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            Mortify thy learned lust.             --Prior.
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            Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the
            earth.                                --Col. iii. 5.
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   4. To affect with vexation, chagrin; to depress.
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            The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which
            exceedingly mortified our expectations. --Evelyn.
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            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.
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   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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Mortifying \Mor"ti*fy`ing\, a.
   1. Tending to mortify; affected by, or having symptoms of,
      mortification; as, a mortifying wound; mortifying flesh.
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   2. Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as, mortifying
      penances.
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   3. Tending to humble or abase; humiliating; as, a mortifying
      repulse.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
mortifying
    adj 1: causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation; "the
           embarrassing moment when she found her petticoat down
           around her ankles"; "it was mortifying to know he had
           heard every word" [syn: embarrassing, mortifying]
    2: causing awareness of your shortcomings; "golf is a humbling
       game" [syn: demeaning, humbling, humiliating,
       mortifying]