martyrdom (marterdum)

[ Aboute.ij. myle from Rama is the towne of Lydya, where seynt George suffred marterdome and was hedyd. Sir R. Guylforde , Pylgrymage, p. 17. So saints, by supernatural power set free, Are left at last in martyrdom to die. Dryden. A man does not come the length of the spirit of mar tyrdom without some active purpose, some equal motive, some flaming love. Emerson, War. 2. A state of suffering for any cause; persecution; affliction; torment: as, tight lacing is a fashionable martyrdom. Who couthe ryme in English proprely His martirdom ? for so the it am nat I. OHG. martyr = Sw. Dan. martyr = Goth. martyr (also with added suffix, D. martelaar = MLG. martelere = OHG. martirari , MHG. marterer , merterer, marteler, merteler, marterære, G. mär- 3t. Destruction; slaughter; havoc. = = It. martire , tyrer ) = OF. martir, F. martyr = Pr. martyr Sp. martir = Pg. martyr martyr, Chaucer , Knight's Tale, 1. 602. As soone as the kynge Ban come in to the medlee he be-gan to do so grete martirdom of peple, and so grete occision, that on alle part yes the i fledde from his swerde. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ii. 163.