trump

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a suit or card in a card game that outranks the others

   He saved his last trump for the final trick.

2. 2
   verb

   to beat or outrank something, especially by using a stronger advantage

   The court ruled that constitutional rights trump local policy.

3. 3
   verb

   to announce loudly or as if with a trumpet

   The campaign trumped its latest endorsement across every channel.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Trump in the card-playing sense entered English in the early 16th century as an alteration of triumph, which had previously been used in the same sense. In last trump, trump is a form of trumpet. Trumpet had strong military associations, and the practice of sounding one to attract attention gave rise to blow or sound your own trumpet, meaning “to boast.”

From Middle English trumpe (trumpet), via Old French. The card-game sense developed from a special suit that could overpower the rest.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary