1mar·tyr 
/ˈmɑɚtɚ/ noun
plural mar·tyrs /ˈmɑɚtɚ/ noun [count] 1 : a person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc.
▪ the early Christian martyrs ▪ They know that killing him will only make a martyr out of him. [=will make him someone who is admired as a hero for having suffered or died for a cause] — sometimes + to ▪ He was a martyr to a noble cause. [=he died or suffered for a noble cause] 2 disapproving : a person who pretends to suffer or who exaggerates suffering in order to get praise or sympathy
▪ He enjoys playing the martyr. [=he enjoys acting like someone who deserves admiration or sympathy because of being badly treated] 3 : a person who suffers greatly from something (such as an illness) — + to ▪ a martyr to rheumatism
▪ the early Christian martyrs ▪ They know that killing him will only make a martyr out of him. [=will make him someone who is admired as a hero for having suffered or died for a cause] — sometimes + to ▪ He was a martyr to a noble cause. [=he died or suffered for a noble cause]
▪ He enjoys playing the martyr. [=he enjoys acting like someone who deserves admiration or sympathy because of being badly treated]
