This is the 855th most frequent Italian word.
morta
The Italian word "morta" means "dead" (feminine singular).
Here, 'morta' is used as a past participle of the verb 'morire', indicating the state of the plant.
La pianta è morta per mancanza d'acqua.
The plant has died due to lack of water.
Here, 'morta' is used metaphorically to describe an intense emotional state.
Lei è rimasta senza parole, come morta per la sorpresa.
She was left speechless, as if dead by surprise.
In this case, 'morta' is used as an adjective to describe the town as inactive or lifeless.