mortal

mor|tal¹ [ˈmo:tl US ˈmo:rtl] adj

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: Latin mortalis, from mors 'death']

1.) not able to live for ever

≠ ↑immortal

▪ Her father's death reminded her that she was mortal.

2.) mortal blow/danger/wound etc

a) something very serious, that may cause the end of something

▪ The computer has dealt a mortal blow to traditional printing methods.

▪ Our health service is in mortal danger.

b) something that causes death or may cause death

→↑lethal

▪ Near the end of the battle, he received a mortal wound.

▪ the screams of men in mortal combat (=fighting until one person kills the other)

3.) mortal enemy/foe

an enemy that you hate very much and will always hate

▪ He glared at Claudia as if she were his mortal enemy.

4.) mortal fear/dread/terror

extreme fear

▪ She lives in mortal fear of her husband's anger.

5.) sb's mortal remains

formal someone's body, after they have died

▪ the churchyard where his mortal remains lie (=where his body is buried)

6.) literary human - used especially when comparing humans with gods, ↑spirits etc

▪ Both gods and mortal men found her captivating.

7.) mortal coil

literary life or the state of being alive

▪ when Hubbard shuffled off this mortal coil (=died)

mortal ²

mortal² n

1.) lesser/ordinary/mere mortals

ordinary people, as compared with people who are more important, more powerful, or more skilled - used humorously

▪ She dines in the executive suite, while we lesser mortals use the staff cafeteria.

2.) literary a human - used especially when comparing humans with gods, ↑spirits etc