Definition of Martyr

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Martyr

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.

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.

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

To persecute; to torment; to torture.

Related Definitions:

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Martyr Quotations

Let us all be brave enough to die the death of a martyr, but let no one lust for martyrdom.
Mohandas Gandhi

The martyr cannot be dishonored. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.
Napoleon Bonaparte

It is not the punishment but the cause that makes the martyr.
Saint Augustine

The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.
Soren Kierkegaard

The martyr sacrifices themselves entirely in vain. Or rather not in vain; for they make the selfish more selfish, the lazy more lazy, the narrow narrower.
Florence Nightingale

Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr, the man who will not act until he knows all will never act at all.
Jim Elliot

It requires greater courage to preserve inner freedom, to move on in one's inward journey into new realms, than to stand defiantly for outer freedom. It is often easier to play the martyr, as it is to be rash in battle.
Rollo May

I'm fighting so I can die a martyr and go to heaven to meet God. Our fight now is against the Americans.
Osama bin Laden

The fanatic is incorruptible: if he kills for an idea, he can just as well get himself killed for one; in either case, tyrant or martyr, he is a monster.
Emile M. Cioran

Martyr Translations

martyr in Dutch is bloedgetuige, martelaar
martyr in French is martyre
martyr in Italian is martire
martyr in Latin is martyr-yris
martyr in Swedish is martyr

Quotes