martyr
n 1: one who suffers for the sake of principle [syn: sufferer] 2: one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion v 1: kill as a martyr; "Saint Sebastian was martyred" 2: torture and torment like a martyr [syn: martyrize, martyrise]
one who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ
(Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. The
Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated "witness." (1.) In a
court of justice (Matt. 18:16; 26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Heb. 10:28; 1 Tim.
5:19).
(2.) As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or
known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; Rom. 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2).