mortal

adjective mohr-TAHL Less Common

Origin: Latin 'mortalis'

Also means

fatal

Usage Note

Mortal as an adjective means causing death (una herida mortal) or relating to humans as mortal beings; as a noun (un mortal / los mortales) it means a mortal human being, often used in elevated or ironic register ('mere mortals'). The phrase enemigo mortal ('mortal enemy') is a common collocation. Do not confuse with muerto ('dead') — mortal describes potential or capacity for death, not the state itself.

Examples

"El accidente le causó una herida mortal."

Natural Translation

The accident caused him a fatal wound.

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