protomartyr

[ proh-toh-mahr-ter ]

noun

1. the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen.
2. the first martyr in any cause.

protomartyr

/ ˌprəʊtəʊˈmɑːtə /

noun

1. St Stephen as the first Christian martyr
2. the first martyr to lay down his life in any cause

Word History and Origins

Origin of protomartyr¹

1400–50; late Middle English prothomartyr < Late Latin prōtomartyr < Late Greek prōtómartys. See proto-, martyr

Example Sentences

The Protomartyr and the Precursor seem always inseparable throughout the faithful little city of the Cintola.

From Project Gutenberg

The women reformers of our day should promote Margaret Brent to the position of their patron saint and protomartyr.

From Project Gutenberg

Go with Ellsworth, protomartyr of this great cause of freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

Certainly a church dedicated to the Christian protomartyr was not the most appropriate place for drawing up such a decree!

From Project Gutenberg

The misappropriation of the glories of the protomartyr is somewhat transparent.

From Project Gutenberg