n. & v.
n. 1 a a person who is put to death for refusing to renounce a faith or belief. b a person who suffers for adhering to a principle, cause, etc. 2 (foll. by to) a constant sufferer from (an ailment).
v.tr. 1 put to death as a martyr. 2 torment. make a martyr of oneself accept or pretend to accept unnecessary discomfort etc.
[ OE martir f. eccl.L martyr f. Gk martur, martus -uros witness ]