martyrology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, academic, historical, religious
Quick answer
What does “martyrology” mean?
A catalogue or register of martyrs, or the history of their lives and deaths.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A catalogue or register of martyrs, or the history of their lives and deaths.
The branch of history or literature concerned with the lives and sufferings of martyrs; any list or record of those who have suffered or died for a cause, including in a modern, figurative sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Equally formal and specialised in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse in both regions, limited to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “martyrology” in a Sentence
The martyrology of [GROUP/ERA] (e.g., the martyrology of the early Church)to study/compile/write a martyrologyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “martyrology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form exists]
American English
- [No standard verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form exists]
American English
- [No standard adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- The martyrological traditions of England are extensive.
- He took a martyrological approach to the historical data.
American English
- The martyrological records were kept in the Vatican.
- Her research has a strong martyrological focus.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, and literature departments when discussing saintly narratives or persecution.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in sophisticated journalism describing victims of an ideology.
Technical
Specific term in ecclesiastical history and patristics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “martyrology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “martyrology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “martyrology”
- Misspelling: 'martryology', 'martyroligy'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the second syllable ('mar-TYR-ology') instead of the third ('mar-tyr-OL-ogy').
- Using it as a synonym for 'martyrdom' (the act of being martyred) rather than the record/list.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in academic, historical, or religious contexts.
Yes, metaphorically. It can refer to a list or history of people who have suffered or died for any strong belief or cause, such as a 'martyrology of political dissidents'.
Hagiography is broader; it is the biography of saints or venerated persons, often including miracles and pious deeds. Martyrology is a specific subset focusing on the records of those who were martyred.
In British English: /ˌmɑːtɪˈrɒlədʒi/ (mar-ty-ROL-uh-jee). In American English: /ˌmɑːrtəˈrɑːlədʒi/ (mar-tuh-RAH-luh-jee). The primary stress is on the third syllable.
A catalogue or register of martyrs, or the history of their lives and deaths.
Martyrology is usually formal, academic, historical, religious in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MARTYR + OLOGY (study of). It's the 'ology' (study/log) of martyrs.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIST IS A MEMORIAL; HISTORY IS A RECORD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'martyrology' LEAST likely to be used?