| mortification | 1. <medicine> The act of mortifying, or the condition of being mortified; especially: Destruction of active qualities; neutralization. Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance, absistence, or painful severities inflicted on the body. "The mortification of our lusts has something in it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is unreasonable." (Tillotson) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-approval; abatement or pride; humiliation; chagrin; vexation. "We had the mortification to lose sight of Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon." (Addison) 2. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin, or vexation. "It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a tedious visit." (L'Estrange) 3. A gift to some charitable or religious institution; nearly synonymous with mortmain. Synonym: Chagrin, vexation, shame. See Chagrin. Origin: F, fr. L. Mortificatio a killing. See Mortify. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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