martyrdom
(ˈmɑːtədəm)
Forms: see martyr n.1; also 4–5 -dam, 4–7 -dome.
[OE. martyrdóm: see martyr n. and -dom. Cf. mod.G. märtyrerthum (in Goethe also martyrthum), Sw., Da. martyrdom.]
1. The sufferings and death of a martyr. Also, the act of becoming or condition of being a martyr.
| a 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. i. vii, Ðær wæs cyrice ᵹeworht..his þrowunge & martyrdome wyrþe. c 1200 Vices & Virtues 129 Maniȝe þusend..here clannesse ihelden and manieskennes martirdom ðar fore ðolede. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9830 He huld it al wreche of god vor sein tomas martirdom. c 1386 Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 274 The palm of martirdom for to receyue. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 32 The faith has tane..strenth throu the tribulaciouns and persecuciouns, and marterdome of haly marteris. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. iii. 39 An huge host..With which he godly Oswald shall subdew, And crowne with martiredome his sacred head. 1634 Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 58 We saw..another show, representing the martyrdom of all the Apostles. 1704 Nelson Fest. & Fasts viii. (1739) 101 The Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents..is..commanded to be for ever celebrated in the Church. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 374 He had spent his time in encouraging catholics to persevere to martyrdom for their faith. |
| attrib. 1688 Evelyn Diary 30 Jan., The Martyrdome day of K. Charles the First. |
b. transf.| a 1703 Burkitt On N.T., Matt. xiv. 11 It is as true a martyrdom to suffer for duty, as for faith. 1847–9 Helps Friends in C. (1851) I. 107 Social martyrdoms place no saints upon the calendar. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 215 To suffer martyrdom for the property and liberty of his plunderers and oppressors. |
c. The name given to the
N.W. transept of Canterbury cathedral, where Becket was murdered.
| 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral Mon. 228 Here lies interred in the Martyrdome an Archbishop. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 551. 1855 A. P. Stanley Mem. Canterb. 65. |
† 2. Slaughter,
esp. in
to make martyrdom.
Obs.| 1375 Barbour Bruce vi. 289 He sic martirdome thair maid, That he the furde all stoppit had. c 1450 Merlin x. 163 As soone as the kynge Ban com in-to the medlee he be-gan to do so grete martirdom of peple, and so grete occision, that [etc.]. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 188, I shold make grete marterdom on these Paynyms. |
3. Torment, torture; extreme pain or suffering.
| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 602 Who koude ryme in englyssh proprely His martirdom [sc. in prison]? c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon iv. 117 Yf we were suche as I trowed we sholde not suffre the martyrdome that we endure. 1550 Coverdale Death ii. i. 177 Chryste hangynge in great Martyrdome vpon the crosse. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. iii. (1736) 36 Were the Happiness of the next World as closely apprehended as the Felicities of this, it were a Martyrdom to live. 1811 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) I. v. 139 Only think what martyrdom I underwent in entertaining..this prim damsel from one o'clock to seven. |