Definition of: martyr

(mär′tər) noun
1. One who submits to death rather than forswear his religion; specifically, one of the early Christians who suffered death for their religious principles.
2. One who dies or suffers for principles, or sacrifices all for a cause: a martyr to science.
3. One who suffers much or long, as from ill health or misfortune: a martyr to rheumatism.
—v.t.
1. To put to death as a martyr.
2. To torture; persecute or torment. [OE <LL <Gk. martyr, Aeolic form of martys, martyros a witness]