Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

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.

Source : WordNet®

mortify
     v 1: practice self-denial of one's body and appetites
     2: hold within limits and control; "subdue one's appetites";
        "mortify the flesh" [syn: {subdue}, {cricify}]
     3: cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of; "He humiliated his
        colleague by criticising him in front of the boss" [syn: {humiliate},
         {chagrin}, {humble}, {abase}]
     4: undergo necrosis; "the tissue around the wound necrosed"
        [syn: {necrose}, {gangrene}, {sphacelate}]
     [also: {mortified}]