martyr

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martyr (prop.) one who voluntarily undergoes death for the Christian faith. OE. martir, corr. to OS., OHG. martir — ecclL. martyr — Gr. mártur, var. of mártus, martur- witness, (in Christian use) martyr; reinforced in ME. by OF. martir, martre (mod. martyr); the sp. was finally assim. to the L. form.
Hence martyr vb. OE. (ġe)martyrian, -martrian. martyrdom OE. So martyrology XVI. — medL. — ecclGr.; see -LOGY.

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