martyrdom

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   death or severe suffering endured because of loyalty to a religion, belief, or cause

   The account presents her execution as martyrdom for religious freedom.

2. 2
   noun

   prolonged or extreme suffering, often described in an exaggerated way

   He treated a week without his usual comforts as a form of martyrdom.

From Middle English martyrdom, continuing Old English martyrdom, formed from martyr + -dom ("state or condition"). Martyr came through Latin from Ancient Greek martys ("witness"); in Christian usage, bearing witness to faith became associated with suffering and death.

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