martyrize, v.
(ˈmɑːtɪraɪz)
Also 5–7 martirize, 6 marterisse, -ize, 7 -yze, martarize.
[ad. med.L. martyrizāre, f. martyr: see martyr n.1 and -ize. Cf. F. martyriser, Sp. martirizar, Pg. martyrisar, It. martirizzare.]
1. trans. To make a martyr of, cause to suffer martyrdom; = martyr v. 1. Now rare.
| c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 2832 When Abel of wikked kayme was slayne and martirizid. 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.) 185 S. Dympna virgin dochter to the king of Irland marterissed be hir awin father vnder Leo the 3. 1657–83 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) II. 124 Thousands of Christians..were all martyrized so soon as they had finished the work. 1834 Beckford Italy II. 207 St. Vincent..was martyrized near the Cape. |
| transf. 1595 Spenser Col. Clout 475 To her my heart I nightly martyrize. |
2. To cause suffering or misery to;
= martyr v. 3.
| 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. i. (1674) 2 Many loathsome things present themselves..to the sight..; and to behold them is to martyrize ones self. 1797 W. Tooke Cath. II (1798) III. xiii. 347 note, He martyrized them [sc. Jews] by stripping them naked in the depth of the winter, and pouring cold water on their heads. 1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress IV. 150, I must still martyrize the curiosity of Caroline. 1885 Sully in 19th Cent. June 963 How thought can crucify and martyrise any one. |
† 3. To disfigure or mutilate by the infliction of wounds or blows:
= martyr v. 4.
Obs.| 1635 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 106 Martyrizing her with so many wounds, that her body was seene all over pierced through with stabbes. 1637 Monro Exped. ii. 151 Now men are marteryzed and cut downe..by those furious and thund'ring Engines of great Cannon. 1718 F. Hutchinson Witchcraft xiii. 210 Thousands martyrizing their own Bodies, by tearing the Flesh. |
4. To cause to suffer hardship on behalf of a cause.
| 1844 Thackeray Box of Novels Wks. (Biogr. ed.) XIII. 402 The Irish press is at present martyrising the most successful member of its body. 1879 L. Wingfield Lords of Strogue III. i. 12 It would be impolitic to martyrise them too openly. |
b. refl. To make a ‘martyr’ of oneself.
| 1887 M. E. Braddon Like & Unlike xxviii, She is martyrising herself—and for what? 1896 A. Morrison Child of the Jago 86 She proceeded to martyrise herself by a show of ‘setting to rights’ in the room. |
5. intr. To be or become a martyr.
rare.
| 1524 Will. Malvern in R. Glouc. Chron. (1724) 582 Arilde that blessed Virgin, Which martyrized at Kinton. 1846 Landor Albani & Picture-d. Wks. II. 14 We must bleed and martyrise: no end or remission of our sufferings. |
Hence
ˈmartyrized ppl. a.,
ˈmartyrizing vbl. n. Also
ˈmartyrizer, one who martyrizes.
| 1635 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 84 An exquisite (though martirized) beauty. 1636 R. Brathwait Rom. Emp. 141 The martyrizing and bannishing of the Christians. 1810 Bentham Packing (1821) 83 This noble army, not of martyrs but of martyrizers. 1843 Thackeray Mr. & Mrs. Berry ii, She only gave a martyrised look, and left the room. 1900 A. Lang Hist. Scot. I. xvi. 436 Henry quotes the deeds of the murderer Jehu as warrant for his own martyrising of a bishop. |