Webster's English Dictionary

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martyr

1. mar.tyr \'ma:rt-*r\ \.ma:rt-*-r*-'za--sh*n\ \'ma:rt-*-.ri-z\ n [ME, fr. 
   OE, fr. LL, fr. Gk martyr-, martys, lit., witness; akin to] L memor mindful 
   1: one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and re 
   fusing to renounce his religion 2: one who sacrifices his life or something 
   of great value for the sake of  principle 3: a great or constant sufferer  
   - mar.tyr.iza.tion n
2. martyr vt 1: to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or 
   profession  2: to inflict agonizing pain upon : TORTURE