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martyr

The correct spelling is martyr.

How to pronounce martyr

/ˈmɐːtə(ɹ)/
noun

IPA: /ˈmɐːtə(ɹ)/

Say it like: Mar-tyr

The correct spelling is martyr. One who willingly accepts being put to death for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs; notably, saints canonized after martyrdom. For example: "Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr."

Usage Examples

Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

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

Some religious and other minorities were martyred until extinction.

Meanings

noun

  1. 1.One who willingly accepts being put to death for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs; notably, saints canonized after martyrdom.
  2. 2.(by extension) One who sacrifices his or her life, station, or something of great personal value, for the sake of principle or to sustain a cause.
  3. 3.(with a prepositional phrase of cause) One who suffers greatly and/or constantly, even involuntarily.

verb

  1. 1.To make someone into a martyr by putting him or her to death for adhering to, or acting in accordance with, some belief, especially religious; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession.
  2. 2.To persecute.
  3. 3.To torment; to torture.

Similar words

Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.

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