protomartyr

noun

pro·​to·​mar·​tyr ˈprō-tō-ˌmär-tər 

: the first martyr in a cause or region

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prothomartir, from Middle French, from Late Latin protomartyr, from Late Greek prōtomartyr-, prōtomartys, from Greek prōt- + martyr-, martys martyr

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above