transitive verb mortified -·fied′, mortifying -·fy′·ing

1. to punish (one's body) or control (one's physical desires and passions) by self-denial, fasting, etc., as a means of religious or ascetic discipline
2. to cause to feel shame, humiliation, chagrin, etc.; injure the pride or self-respect of
3. Now Rare to cause (body tissue) to decay or become gangrenous
4. to destroy the vitality or vigor of

Etymology: ME mortifien < OFr mortifier < LL(Ec) mortificare, to kill, destroy < L mors, death (see mortal) + facere, to make, do

intransitive verb

1. to practice mortification (sense )
2. Now Rare to decay or become gangrenous