martyr
nounSomeone who dies because of what they believe in, especially their religion.
nounSomeone who gives up their life or something very important to them for a cause they believe in.
nounSomeone who suffers a lot, whether or not by choice.
verbTo kill someone for their beliefs, especially their religion.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter M
Sound“m”·/m/
The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.
M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.
Tip
M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!
Examples
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled AR
Sound“ar”·/ɑːr/
When R comes after A, it changes the sound to "ar", like in 'car' and 'star'.
When A is followed by R, the R 'bosses' the vowel and changes its sound. Instead of short A or long A, you hear "ar". R-controlled vowels are sometimes called 'Bossy R'.
Tip
Bossy R takes the car to the farm!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter T
Sound“t”·/t/
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled YR
Sound“er”·/ɜːr/
When R comes after Y, they team up and make the same "er" sound as ER, IR and UR — like in 'syrup'.
YR is the least common spelling of the "er" sound, but it works exactly like ER, IR and UR: the R takes over and the vowel changes. Examples: syrup, myrtle, martyr. Here Y is doing a vowel's job, as it does in gym and myth.
Tip
Even Y gets bossed by R — syrup!
Examples
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