martys

Martys are individuals who suffer or die for their beliefs or causes. In religious traditions, martyrs are celebrated as faithful witnesses under persecution; many are venerated as saints. In broader usage, the term can apply to people who suffer for political or social causes.

Word origin: From Greek martys meaning "witness," through Latin martyr and Old French martyr; in English the plural is martyrs. The spelling "martys" is uncommon and is usually a misspelling, though it may appear as a surname or given name.

Historical and contemporary examples: Notable early Christian martyrs include Saint Stephen, the first to be described as such in Acts. In other faiths, martyrs are remembered as shahids in Islam. In modern times, activists who faced arrest or death for advocacy are sometimes described as martyrs by supporters.

Contemporary discourse: The term can be used reverentially or critically, sometimes with a pejorative "martyr complex" when someone appears to portray themselves as a perpetual victim for attention or advantage.