Martyrology
/ˌmɑːr.tɪˈrɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
A book or study of martyrs, especially a catalogue of saints and their deaths.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek *martys* meaning “witness,” so a martyr was originally not a “religious victim” but someone whose death testified to a faith.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μάρτυς (mártys)
“witness”
Late Greek
Greek
μαρτυρολόγιον (martyrológion)
“a record or catalogue of witnesses, especially martyrs”
Late Latin
Latin
martyrologium
“a list or account of martyrs”
Middle English
English
martyrologie
“a book or record of martyrs”
Modern English
English
martyrology
“a catalogue or study of martyrs”