Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOR-TAL'I-TY, n. [L. mortalitas.]

1. Subjection to death, or the necessity of dying. When I saw her die, / I then did think on your mortality. Carew.
2. Death. Gladly would I meet / Mortality, my sentence. Milton.
3. Frequency of death; actual death of great numbers of men or beasts; as, a time of great mortality. Graunt.
4. Human nature. Take these tears, mortality's relief. Pope.
5. Power of destruction. Mortality and mercy in Vienna, Live in thy tongue and heart. Shak.