protomartyr

pro·to·mar·tyr

noun \ˈprō-tō-ˌmär-tər\

Definition of PROTOMARTYR

: the first martyr in a cause or region

Origin of PROTOMARTYR

Middle English prothomartir, from Middle French, from Late Latin protomartyr, from Late Greek prōtomartyr-, prōtomartys, from Greek prōt- + martyr-, martys martyr

First Known Use: 15th century