mortifying

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  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”Synonyms: embarrassing
  2. causing awareness of your shortcomings“golf is a humbling game”Synonyms: demeaninghumblinghumiliating
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [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]


Mortifying \Mor"ti*fy`ing\, 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]

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