The word "mortally" is spelled with the letters m-o-r-t-a-l-l-y. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈmɔːtəli/. The first syllable "mort" is pronounced as "mawrt" and the second syllable "al" is pronounced as "əli". The word means "in a fatal manner" or "as if causing death". Spellings can be tricky, but with the help of phonetic transcription, one can accurately pronounce and spell words like "mortally".
Mortally is an adverb that describes something or someone in a manner that pertains to death or the severity of a life-threatening situation. It refers to actions, conditions, or events that have the potential to cause death or extreme harm. The word is often used to emphasize the seriousness, gravity, or irreversibility of a situation.
In a literal sense, mortally can describe the state of being on the brink of death or dying, often as a result of injuries or illnesses that are untreatable or incurable. For instance, if someone is mortally wounded in battle, it means that they have sustained injuries severe enough to potentially cause their death.
In a figurative sense, mortally can be used to describe an action or decision that may have catastrophic consequences, leading to irreversible damage or termination. This usage is commonly found in phrases such as "mortally wounded" or "mortally affected," indicating that something or someone has been seriously harmed, often beyond repair.
Furthermore, mortally can also convey the idea of someone experiencing an intense level of fear, anxiety, or distress, as if their life is at risk. For example, a person who is mortally afraid of spiders experiences extreme fright and may even have physical reactions such as rapid heartbeats or trembling.
Overall, the adverb mortally emphasizes the potentially fatal nature of an event, condition, or emotion, highlighting the gravity and severity of a situation.
In a manner to cause death; in the highest possible degree.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word mortally has its roots in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin word mortalis, which means subject to death or mortal. The -ly suffix added to mortal forms an adverb, creating mortally, which means in a fatal or deadly manner.