mortal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɔːt(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1(of a living human being, often in contrast to a divine being) subject to death: all men are mortal
  • relating to humans as subject to death: the coffin held the mortal remains of her uncle
  • 2causing or liable to cause death; fatal: a mortal disease figurative the scandal appeared to have struck a mortal blow to the government
  • (of a battle) fought to the death: the screams of men in mortal combat
  • (of an enemy or a state of hostility) admitting or allowing no reconciliation until death: a mortal foe
  • (of a feeling, especially fear) very intense: parents live in mortal fear of children’s diseases
  • 3 informal conceivable or imaginable: he knew every mortal thing you did
  • very great: he was in a mortal hurry
  • dated long and tedious: for three mortal days it rained
  • 4 Christian Theology denoting a grave sin that is regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace: Often contrasted with venial she had committed a mortal sin

noun

  • a human being subject to death, as opposed to a divine being: capacities only possible of God rather than mortals
  • humorous a person contrasted with others regarded as being of higher status or ability: an ambassador had to live in a style which was not expected of lesser mortals

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin mortalis, from mors, mort- 'death'