The root of martyrdom is the Greek word martur, which means “witness.” The suffix -dom means “state or condition,” but it also comes from an Old English word meaning “decree, judgment.” To experience martyrdom, you must witness your own death, usually because of the judgment of others. In Christianity, believers endure martyrdom in order to become saints. Some people falsely claim martyrdom as a way to get attention, like your brother who whines about doing chores because his pinkie hurts.