A person who suffers or dies for their beliefs, principles, or cause. Someone who makes great sacrifices for a principle or belief.
From Greek 'martys' meaning witness, originally referring to those who witnessed Christ's life and teachings. The meaning shifted to those who died for their faith by the 2nd century, then broadened to anyone dying for principles.
The transformation of 'martyr' from simply 'witness' to 'one who dies for beliefs' reflects how early Christians viewed death for faith as the ultimate testimony. Today we use it both seriously and sometimes mockingly, as in someone who plays the martyr for attention.
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