martyr

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   kill as a martyr

   Saint Sebastian was martyred.

2. 2
   noun

   One who willingly accepts being put to death or willingly accepts challenging and exposing iniquity done to oneself for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs; notably, saints canonized after red martyrdom.

   The apostle Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

3. 3
   noun

   One who suffers greatly or constantly, even involuntarily.

   Stan is a martyr to arthritis, Chris a martyr to Stan's endless moaning about it.

4. 4
   noun

   Someone who exaggerates their pain and suffering in order to gain sympathy.

   You have a great life! Stop trying to play the martyr!

From Middle English martir, from Old English martyr, itself a borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin martyr, from Ancient Greek μάρτυρ (mártur), later form of μάρτυς (mártus, “witness”).

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