I. mor ‧ tal 1 /ˈmɔːtl $ ˈmɔːrtl/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin mortalis , from mors 'death' ]
1 . not able to live for ever OPP immortal :
Her father’s death reminded her that she was mortal.
2 . mortal blow/danger/wound etc
a) something very serious that may cause the end of something:
The computer has dealt a mortal blow to traditional printing methods.
Our health service is in mortal danger.
b) something that causes death or may cause death ⇨ lethal :
Near the end of the battle, he received a mortal wound.
the screams of men in mortal combat (=fighting until one person kills the other)
3 . mortal enemy/foe an enemy that you hate very much and will always hate:
He glared at Claudia as if she were his mortal enemy.
4 . mortal fear/dread/terror extreme fear:
She lives in mortal fear of her husband’s anger.
5 . sb’s mortal remains formal someone’s body, after they have died:
the churchyard where his mortal remains lie (=where his body is buried)
6 . literary human – used especially when comparing humans with gods, ↑ spirit s etc:
Both gods and mortal men found her captivating.
7 . mortal coil literary life or the state of being alive:
when Hubbard shuffled off this mortal coil (=died)
II. mortal 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . lesser/ordinary/mere mortals ordinary people, as compared with people who are more important, more powerful, or more skilled – used humorously:
She dines in the executive suite, while we lesser mortals use the staff cafeteria.
2 . literary a human – used especially when comparing humans with gods, ↑ spirit s etc ⇨ immortal