mortality
UK: mɔːˈtæləti | US: mɔːrˈtæləti
n. the state of being subject to death; the condition of being mortal
n. the death rate in a population
n. the lack of eternal existence or permanence
mortality = mortal<subject to death> + ity<noun suffix>
- mortal: Derived from Latin mortalis ("subject to death"), from mors ("death").
- ity: A suffix forming nouns indicating a state or condition, from Latin -itas.
Etymology Origin:
The word "mortality" traces back to Latin mortalis, rooted in mors ("death"). The suffix -ity was added in Middle English via Old French to abstract the concept into a noun. The core idea—being bound by death—reflects humanity’s historical focus on life’s impermanence, contrasting with "immortality."
The mortality rate from the disease has decreased due to advances in medicine.
Philosophers often ponder the inevitability of human mortality.
The study compared infant mortality across different regions.
Ancient myths explore themes of gods escaping mortality.
War inevitably leads to a sharp rise in mortality.