Martyr Meaning
/ˈmɐːtə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOne 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.
nounOne who sacrifices their life, station, or something of great personal value, for the sake of principle or to sustain a cause.
Sentence Examples
In a few moments you'll become either a holy martyr or a dead witch.
Tom is a martyr now.
A holy martyr was depicted on the icon.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The religious ____ was killed for refusing to give up his faith.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The historical figure is remembered as a ____ who died for his political beliefs.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Fr. Felipe Císcar Puig was a Valencian priest who is also also considered a martyr of the sacramental seal because he was martyred after keeping confessions secret during the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War."
— 2017 December 16, “These priests were martyred for refusing to violate the seal of confession”, in Catholic News Agency:
"He'd been a martyr to asthma all his life."
— 1937, AJ Cronin, The Citadel:
"J.Q. Murder wears sandpaper suits
Broken glass in pocket, barbed wire boots
Not because he's mean, but because he's a martyr
He makes Jackie Collins look like Jean-Paul Sartre"
— 1982, J. G. Thirlwell, “J.Q. Murder”, in Ache, performed by You've Got Foetus on Your Breath:
"Hark, wretches, how I mean to martyr you.
This one hand yet is left to cut your throats,
Whiles that Lavinia ’tween her stumps doth hold
The basin that receives your guilty blood."
— c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
"[…]The louely Amoret, whoſe gentle hart
Thou martyreſt with ſorow and with ſmart,[…]"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IIII, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 2, page 94:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The religious ____ was killed for refusing to give up his faith.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The historical figure is remembered as a ____ who died for his political beliefs.