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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Martyr \Mar"tyr\, n. [AS., from L. martyr, Gr. ma`rtyr, ma`rtys,
prop., a witness; cf. Skr. sm[.r] to remember, E. memory.]
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1. One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the
gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as,
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. --Chaucer.
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To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the truth
of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then
so generally attended with persecution, that
martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to
witness by death. --South.
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2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what
is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to
sustain a cause.
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Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell,
Thou fall'st a blessed martyr ! --Shak.
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Martyr \Mar"tyr\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Martyred}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Martyring}.]
1. To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp.
Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or
profession. --Bp. Pearson.
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2. To persecute; to torment; to torture. --Chaucer.
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The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart
Thou martyrest with sorrow and with smart.
--Spenser.
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Racked with sciatics, martyred with the stone.
--Pope.
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