v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. a cause (a person) to feel shamed or humiliated. b wound (a person's feelings). 2 tr. bring (the body, the flesh, the passions, etc.) into subjection by self-denial or discipline. 3 intr. (of flesh) be affected by gangrene or necrosis. mortification n. mortifying adj. mortifyingly adv.
[ ME f. OF mortifier f. eccl.L mortificare kill, subdue f. mors mortis death ]