[mor.ti.fy] vb -fied ; -fy.ing [ME mortifien, fr. MF mortifier, fr. LL mortificare, fr. L mort-, mors] vt (14c) 1 obs: to destroy the strength, vitality, or functioning of
2: to subdue or deaden (as the body or bodily appetites) esp. by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfort
3: to subject to severe and vexing embarrassment: shame ~ vi 1: to practice mortification
2: to become necrotic or gangrenous