noun

1. 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
2. a person who suffers great pain or misery for a long time
3. a person who assumes an attitude of self-sacrifice or suffering in order to arouse feelings of pity, guilt, etc. in others

Etymology: 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

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