martyrdom Hear it!

martyrdom Definition

mar·tyr·dom (-dəm)

noun

  1. the state of being a martyr
  2. the death or sufferings of a martyr
  3. severe, long-continued suffering; torment

Etymology: ME martirdom < OE martyrdom: see martyr & -dom

martyrdom Synonyms

martyrdom

n.

torment, agony, pain, distress, ordeal, affliction, suffering, devotion, eternal glory, life everlasting; see also sacrifice 1, torture.

Antonyms self-gratification, indulgence*, worldliness.

martyrdom Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • commemorate: The Becket window, in the Lucy Chapel of the Cathedral commemorates the martyrdom of Thomas of Canterbury.
  • suffer: He suffered martyrdom about the year 155 by being burnt to death in the city stadium.
  • endure: For upwards of three years I have endured a perfect martyrdom.
  • seek: In her childhood she had sought martyrdom for the sake of reward.
  • face: There are those who would face martyrdom for it.
  • mean: I shall point out, yet again, that this does not mean martyrdom.

Preposition: at

  • hand: He suffered martyrdom at the hands of his enemies in 1623.

Adjective modifier

  • glorious: Go on, the dagger's point may glare Amid thy pathway's gloom; The fate which sternly threatens there Is glorious martyrdom!
  • own: Ignatius ' Letter to the Romans ( 105 - 115 CE ) This letter compares Ignatius ' own upcoming martyrdom to that of Jesus.
  • heroic: And a promise to the Catholic girls of a heroic martyrdom in defense of our religion, besieged by evil forces.
  • long: I have had to suffer my long martyrdom, Without complaining, without sighs.

Modifies a noun

  • operation: Further reading on the Islamic ' martyrdom operations ' : Suicide bombers?
  • video: One even stops in the middle of his martyrdom video to remind his mother about shopping lists.

Possessives

  • polycarp: So did Polycarp's martyrdom really follow the detailed story of Jesus so closely?

Preposition: of

  • polycarp: Among such letters surviving is one about the martyrdom of Polycarp in 167 AD.
  • saint: The theme for the Steeple Aston cope is the martyrdom of the saints.
  • man: A number of scholars contend that Luke presents Jesus' passion as the martyrdom of a just man 10.
  • apostle: The Martyrs Just how good is the evidence for the martyrdom of the apostles?
  • priest: A brief history of the glorious martyrdom of twelve reverend priests; Father Edmund Campion and his companions.
martyrdom Quotes

Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it. Martyrdom is the test.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

Martyrdom†the only way in which a man can become famous without ability.

—Shaw, George Bernard

Were the happiness of the next world as closely apprehended as the felicities of this, it were a martyrdom to live.

—Browne, SirThomas

Browse dictionary entries near martyrdom

  1. martyr
  2. martlet
  3. Martinmas
  4. Martinique
  5. martini
  6. martingale
  7. martinet
  8. Martineau
  9. Martin Luther King Day
  10. Martin Act
  1. martyrize
  2. martyrology
  3. martyry
  4. MARV
  5. marvel
  6. marvel-of-Peru
  7. Marvell
  8. marvelous
  9. marvelously
  10. Marvin