Martyr \Mar"tyr\, n. [AS., from L. martyr, Gr. ma`rtyr, ma`rtys, prop., a witness; cf. Skr. sm[.r] to remember, E. memory.]

1. One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as, Stephen was the first Christian martyr. --Chaucer.

To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the truth of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with persecution, that martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to witness by death --South.

2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to sustain a cause.

Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr ! --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Martyr \Mar"tyr\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Martyred; p. pr. & vb. n. Martyring.]

1. To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp. Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession. --Bp. Pearson.

2. To persecute; to torment; to torture. --Chaucer.

The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart Thou martyrest with sorrow and with smart. --Spenser.

Racked with sciatics, martyred with the stone. --Pope.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)