different between mortification vs debasement

English

Etymology

From Middle French mortification, from Old French, from Latin mortificatio.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -e???n

Noun

mortification (countable and uncountable, plural mortifications)

1. The act of mortifying.
2. A sensation of extreme shame or embarrassment.
3. (medicine) The death of part of the body.
   • 1913, D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 5

     And then there's the fever and the mortification—if it took bad ways he'd quickly be gone.

4. A bringing under of the passions and appetites by a severe or strict manner of living.
5. (law, Scotland) A bequest to a charitable institution.

Synonyms

• (a sensation of extreme shame): shame, humiliation

Antonyms

• (a sensation of extreme shame): honor, exaltation

Translations

English

Etymology

debase +? -ment

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??be?sm?nt/
• Rhymes: -e?sm?nt

Noun

debasement (countable and uncountable, plural debasements)

1. The act of debasing or the state of being debased; a lowering or degradation, especially in character or quality.
   • 1832, Edgar Allan Poe, "Bon Bon":

     His large water-dog was acquainted with the fact, and upon the approach of his master, betrayed his sense of inferiority by a sanctity of deportment, a debasement of the ears, and a dropping of the lower jaw not altogether unworthy of a dog.

   • 2009, Gilbert Cruz, "The Many Faces of Addiction (Book review of America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life by Benoit Denizet-Lewis)," Time, 12 Jan.:

     There's something ugly and fascinating about reading such intimate tales of debasement and depression and failure and self-doubt.

2. The lowering of the value of a currency by reducing the amount of valuable metal in the coins.

Translations