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martyr

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The definition of a martyr is a person who is killed because of his beliefs (especially religious beliefs), or a person who exaggerates his sacrifice to get sympathy.

(noun)

A religious person who refuses to deny his religion and is killed for it is an example of amartyr.
A person who takes care of his aging parents but who makes sure everyone knows just how difficult it is is an example of amartyr.

See martyr in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. any of those persons who choose to suffer or die rather than give up their faith or principles
2. any person tortured or killed because of his or her beliefs
a person who suffers great pain or misery for a long time
a person who assumes an attitude of self-sacrifice or suffering in order to arouse feelings of pity, guilt, etc. in others

Origin: ME martir < OE < LL(Ec) < Gr martyr, martys, a witness (LGr(Ec), martyr) < IE base *(s)mer-, to remember, care > L memor, mindful, Sans smárati, (he) remembers

transitive verb

to put to death or torture for adherence to a belief
to torture; make suffer greatly; persecute

See martyr in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles.
One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.
a. One who endures great suffering: a martyr to arthritis.
b. One who makes a great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy.

transitive verb mar·tyred, mar·tyr·ing, mar·tyrs