mortification etymology

Etymology:

  • From Old French mortification ("action of mortifying, self-denial, penance"), from Latin mortificatio ("act of killing"), from mortificare ("to kill"), from mors ("death") + facere ("to make").

Meaning:

  • The act of causing severe physical or psychological pain, humiliation, or degradation.
  • The practice of deliberately inflicting self-denial or pain as a form of religious discipline.

Origin:

The concept of mortification has its roots in ancient religious traditions, particularly in Christianity. It was believed that pain and suffering could purify the soul and bring one closer to God.

In the Middle Ages, Christian monks and nuns practiced various forms of mortification, such as fasting, flagellation, and wearing hair shirts. They believed that these acts would help them overcome their sinful desires and become more worthy of heaven.

The term "mortification" later became secularized and has come to refer to any form of severe physical or psychological distress, regardless of its religious or moral motivations.

mortification relate terms

  • mortify

    Etymology The word mortify originates from the Latin word mortificare which is deriv

  • mortification

    Etymology From Old French mortification action of mortifying self denial penance

  • mortified

    Etymology The word mortified comes from the Latin word mortificare meaning to put

  • chagrin

    Etymology The word chagrin comes from the Old French word chagriner meaning to anno

  • affliction

    Etymology Middle English affliccioun from Anglo Norman French affliction from Latin

  • penitence

    Etymology Old French penitance Latin paenitentia Proto Indo European pƏnkʷ to p

  • penance

    Etymology From Old French penance from Latin paenitentia from poenitere to repent r

  • instance

    Etymology The word instance comes from the Latin word instantia which means insist

  • example

  • case

    Etymology The word case derives from the Old French word cas which in turn comes fro

  • self denial

    Etymology Self comes from Middle English self from Old English self meaning on

  • record

    Etymology Middle English recordan from Anglo Norman French recorder from Medieval La

  • hypochondria

    Etymology Greek ὑποχόνδριον hupokhondrion under the cartilage Mean