Mor"tal (?), a. [F. mortel, L.
mortalis, from mors, mortis, death, fr.
moriri 8die; akin to E. murder. See Murder, and
cf. Filemot, Mere a lake, Mortgage.]
1. Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is
mortal.
2. Destructive to life; causing or
occasioning death; terminating life; exposing to or deserving death;
deadly; as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin.
3. Fatally vulnerable; vital.
Last of all, against himself he turns his sword, but
missing the mortal place, with his poniard finishes the
work.
Milton.
4. Of or pertaining to the time of
death.
Safe in the hand of one disposing Power,
Or in the natal or the mortal hour.
Pope.
5. Affecting as if with power to kill;
deathly.
The nymph grew pale, and in a mortal
fright.
Dryden.
6. Human; belonging to man, who is mortal;
as, mortal wit or knowledge; mortal power.
The voice of God
To mortal ear is dreadful.
Milton.
7. Very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a
sermon lasting two mortal hours. [Colloq.] Sir W.
Scott.
Mortal foe, Mortal enemy,
an inveterate, desperate, or implacable enemy; a foe bent on
one's destruction.
Mor"tal, n. A being subject to
death; a human being; man. "Warn poor mortals left
behind." Tickell.
