: a person who pretends to suffer or who exaggerates suffering in order to get praise or sympathy

: a person who suffers greatly from something (such as an illness)

Source:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martyr

Found in:  Woman Hollering Creek by SANDRA CISNEROS

Quote : “Oh, and her name’s if Cleofilas.  I don’t know. One of those Mexican saints, I guess. A martyr or something.”

When the doctor asks one of the nurses on the phone to give Cleofilas a ride to San Antonio to help her escape her abusive husband, he tell her Cleofilas’ name. He says her name is meant  a saint. Then he spells it for her to write it down.