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 a martyr to the cause of freedom
3 : victim; especially : a great or constant sufferer a martyr to asthma all his life — A. J. Cronin
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Origin and Etymology of martyr
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
martyr
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
Origin and Etymology of martyr
see 1martyr
First Known Use: before 12th century
MARTYR Defined for English Language Learners
martyr
playDefinition of martyr for English Language Learners
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: a person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc.
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: a person who pretends to suffer or who exaggerates suffering in order to get praise or sympathy
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: a person who suffers greatly from something (such as an illness)
martyr
Definition of martyr for English Language Learners
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: to kill (someone) for refusing to give up a belief or cause
MARTYR Defined for Kids
Definition of martyr for Students
: a person who suffers greatly or dies rather than give up his or her religion or principles
Definition of martyr for Students
martyred
;martyring
: to put to death for refusing to give up a belief
Learn More about martyr
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See words that rhyme with martyr Spanish Central: Translation of martyr Nglish: Translation of martyr for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of martyr for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martyr
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