1cause (someone) to feel very embarrassed or ashamed:she was mortified to see her wrinkles in the mirror (as adjective mortifying)how mortifying to find that he was right
2subdue (the body or its needs and desires) by self-denial or discipline:return to heaven by mortifying the flesh
3 [no object] (of flesh) be affected by gangrene or necrosis:a scratch or cut in Henry’s arm had mortified