The spelling of the word "mortifying" can seem tricky at first glance, but it becomes clearer when broken down phonetically. The word is pronounced /ˈmɔːtɪfʌɪɪŋ/ with stress on the second syllable. The "mort" portion comes from the Latin root word "mors," meaning death. The "ifying" ending comes from the verb "to purify," which means to remove impurities. "Mortifying" then means causing extreme embarrassment or shame, to the point where one may feel as though they have metaphorically died inside.
The term "mortifying" is an adjective derived from the verb "mortify" and is used to describe the feeling or experience of extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. It refers to situations or events that cause deep discomfort, often resulting in self-consciousness or a desire to hide oneself from public view.
When something is mortifying, it typically causes great distress or embarrassment, often due to its public nature or because it challenges one's self-image or social standing. This may be triggered by actions, comments, or situations that highlight one's flaws, expose one to ridicule or judgment, or go against one's personal values or beliefs. Moreover, it can also arise from the realization of having made a grave or embarrassing mistake, or having been caught in an awkward or compromising situation.
The feeling of mortification is characterized by a sense of shame and a desire to withdraw or disappear, as it can deeply wound one's pride or sense of worth. It can lead to considerable distress, causing an individual to feel as though their reputation or self-esteem has been damaged. People may react to mortifying situations by blushing, experiencing a racing heart, feeling anxious, or even becoming physically ill. However, the intensity of mortification can vary depending on an individual's personality, cultural background, and the specific circumstances involved.
In summary, "mortifying" refers to the state of being deeply embarrassed or humiliated, usually in a public context, resulting in significant distress or shame.
That tends to humble or abase; humbling; vexing; becoming mortified.
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 "mortifying" originates from the Latin term "mortificare", which is a combination of two Latin words: "mors" meaning "death" and "facere" meaning "to make". The literal translation of "mortificare" is "to make dead". Over time, the term gained a metaphorical meaning, referring to a feeling of extreme embarrassment or humiliation that might make one wish to figuratively "die" or disappear. Hence, "mortifying" refers to anything causing deep embarrassment or shame.