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mortify |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Mortify \Mor"ti*fy\, v. i. 1. To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a living body; to gangrene. 2. To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden desires by religious discipline. This makes him . . . give alms of all that he hath, watch, fast and mortify. --Law. 3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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 2. To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of to change by chemical action [Obs.] --Chaucer. Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. --Bacon. He mortified pearls in vinegar. --Hakewill. 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. With fasting mortified, worn out with tears. --Harte. Mortify thy learned lust. --Prior. Mortify, rherefore, your members which are upon the earth. --Col. iii. 5. 4. To affect with vexation, chagrin, or humiliation; to humble; to depress. The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which exceedingly mortified our expectations. --Evelyn. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: mortify v 1: hold within limits and control; "subdue one's appetites" [syn: {subdue}] 2: lower in esteem; hurt the pride of [syn: {humiliate}, {chagrin}, {humble}, {abase}] 3: undergo necrosis; of tissue [syn: {necrose}, {gangrene}, {sphacelate}]
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