mortify

To mortify is to shame or humiliate, or to practice self-denial.

(verb)

When you make a fool of someone in public and embarrass him, this is an example of a time when you mortify him.
When you deny yourself a special pleasure as part of a religious fast, this is an example of a way to mortify yourself.

See mortify in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
to cause to feel shame, humiliation, chagrin, etc.; injure the pride or self-respect of
Now Rare to cause (body tissue) to decay or become gangrenous
to destroy the vitality or vigor of

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

intransitive verb

Related Forms:

See mortify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb mor·ti·fied, mor·ti·fy·ing, mor·ti·fies

verb, transitive

To cause to experience shame, humiliation, or wounded pride; humiliate.
To discipline (one's body and physical appetites) by self-denial or self-inflicted privation.

verb, intransitive