Mortal

Mortal is an adjective describing beings or things that are subject to death, emphasizing the finite and temporary nature of life. It is often contrasted with immortal, which refers to beings believed not to die. As a noun, mortal can refer to a human being, in distinction from deities or other immortal beings.

Etymology traces mortal to Latin mortalis, from mors, mort- meaning death. The word entered English via Old French and Middle English, forming related terms such as mortality, mortalize, and mortally, all rooted in the concept of death.

In religion, mythology, and literature, mortals are typically depicted as fallible and mortal, living within the bounds of mortality while immortals or gods are not. Classical literature and many fantasy works use the distinction to explore themes of fate, power, and the fragility of life.

Mortality can denote the state or condition of being mortal, or the rate at which deaths occur in a population, as studied in demography and epidemiology. Life expectancy is a related concept that measures the average length of life for a population.

Usage and phrases commonly found with mortal include mortal danger, mortal wound, and mortal sin in certain Christian traditions. The expression to “shrink from this mortal coil” evokes the idea of leaving one’s earthly life, a line popularized by Shakespeare.

See also: immortality, mortality, life expectancy, demographic mortality rate.