Mortifying

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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.


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     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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  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}]
       2: causing awareness of your shortcomings; "golf is a humbling
          game" [syn: {demeaning}, {humbling}, {humiliating}]