protomartyr

[ proh-toh-mahr-ter ]

/ ˈproʊ toʊˌmɑr tər /

the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen.

the first martyr in any cause.

Origin of protomartyr

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

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

Women of America |John Rouse Larus
The misappropriation of the glories of the protomartyr is somewhat transparent.

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads (Volume I of 5) |Various
Go with Ellsworth, protomartyr of this great cause of freedom.

Following the Flag |Charles Carleton Coffin
Certainly a church dedicated to the Christian protomartyr was not the most appropriate place for drawing up such a decree!

The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2) |Henry Martyn Baird

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

The Story of Florence |Edmund G. Gardner

protomartyr

/ (ˌprəʊtəʊˈmɑːtə) /

St Stephen as the first Christian martyr

the first martyr to lay down his life in any cause