mortification

• Sentiment intense de gêne ou de honte, mortification d'un tissu vivant, perte de prestige ou de dignité, ou pratique religieuse d'ascèse et de renoncement à soi.

A noun that can refer to a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame, the localized death of living tissue, a loss of prestige or self-respect, or the religious practice of self-denial.

1. Extreme embarrassmentB2formal

   A strong feeling of shame, humiliation, or awkwardness.

   mortification (extrême gêne)

   • To her mortification, she realized she had been talking to the wrong person all evening.
   • He blushed with mortification after tripping on stage.
   • The public error caused him great mortification.

   Synonymesabashmentawkwardnesschagrindiscomfitureembarrassmenthumiliationshame

   Antonymesdignityhonorpride

2. Tissue deathC1formalmedical

   The localized death of living cells in a part of the body, often due to infection or lack of blood supply.

   Mortification tissulaire

   • The wound showed signs of mortification and required immediate treatment.
   • Gangrene is a severe form of mortification.
   • The surgeon had to remove the area affected by mortification.

   Synonymesdecaygangrenenecrosisputrefactionsphacelus

3. Loss of prestigeC1formal

   An instance where one loses their self-respect, honor, or social standing.

   Humiliation

   • The scandal was a public mortification for the politician.
   • Failing the exam in front of everyone was a complete mortification.
   • He suffered the mortification of being demoted.

   Synonymesabasementchagrindisgraceembarrassmenthumiliationshame

   Antonymesdignitygloryhonorprestige

4. Religious self-denialC2formal

   In Christianity, the practice of subduing one's bodily desires and passions through self-denial or physical discomfort.

   Mortification chrétienne

   • Monks often practice mortification of the flesh as a spiritual discipline.
   • Fasting is a common form of mortification.
   • The saint's life was marked by extreme acts of mortification.

   Synonymesabstinenceasceticismausteritypenanceself-abasementself-denialself-disciplineself-mortification

   Antonymesgratificationindulgencesatisfaction