Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOR'TI-FY, v.t. [Fr. mortifier; It. mortificare; Sp. mortificar; L. mors, death, and facio, to make.]

1. To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of some part of a living animal; to change to sphacelus or gangrene. Extreme inflammation speedily mortifies flesh.
2. To subdue or bring into subjection, as the bodily appetites by abstinence or rigorous severities. We mortify ourselves with fish. Brown. With fasting mortified, worn out with tears. Harte.
3. To subdue; to abase; to humble; to reduce; to restrain; as, inordinate passions. Mortify thy learned lust. Prior. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth. Col. iii.
4. To humble; to depress; to affect with slight vexation. 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. He is controlled by a nod, mortified by a frown, and transported with a smile. Addison.
5. To destroy active powers or essential qualities. He mortified pearls in vinegar. Hakewill. Quicksilver – mortified with turpentine. Bacon. [I believe this application is not now in use.]