martyrdom

Meaning

Noun

• The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the Christian faith, or to any cause.
• Extreme suffering, affliction; torment; torture, especially without reason.

Origin

• From Middle English martyrdome, martirdom, marterdom, from Old English martyrdōm ("martyrdom"), corresponding to martyr + -dom. Cognate with German Märtyrertum ("martyrdom"), Danish martyrdom ("martyrdom"), Swedish martyrdom ("martyrdom"), Norwegian martyrdom ("martyrdom").