First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1martyr
noun mar·tyr \ˈmär-tər\
: a person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc.
: a person who pretends to suffer or who exaggerates suffering in order to get praise or sympathy
: a person who suffers greatly from something (such as an illness)
Full Definition of MARTYR
1
: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion
2
: a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle
3
: victim; especially : a great or constant sufferer <a martyr to asthma all his life — A. J. Cronin>
— mar·tyr·i·za·tion \ˌmär-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
— mar·tyr·ize \ˈmär-tə-ˌrīz\ transitive verb
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See martyr defined for kids
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Origin of MARTYR
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
Other Christian Religious Terms
2martyr
verb
: to kill (someone) for refusing to give up a belief or cause
Full Definition of MARTYR
transitive verb
1
: to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession
2
: to inflict agonizing pain on : torture
See martyr defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MARTYR
before 12th century
MARTYR Defined for Kids
1martyr
noun mar·tyr \ˈmär-tər\
Definition of MARTYR for Kids
: a person who suffers greatly or dies rather than give up his or her religion or principles
2martyr
verb
mar·tyredmar·tyr·ing
Definition of MARTYR for Kids
: to put to death for refusing to give up a belief
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