trump
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)trumps
- a playing card in the suit that has been declared trumps“the ace of trumps is a sure winner”Synonyms: trump cardType of playing card
- (card games) the suit that has been declared to rank above all other suits for the duration of the hand“clubs were declared trumps”“a trump can take a trick even when a card of a different suit is led”Type of suit
- a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valvesSynonyms: cornethorntrumpetType of brass, brass instrumentKinds serpent
Verb (4)trumps, trumped, trumping
- produce a sound as if from a trumpetMore general sound, go
- get the better of“the goal was to best the competition”Synonyms: outdooutflankbestscoopMore general beat, beat outMore specific outmaneuver, outmanoeuvre
- play a trumpSynonyms: ruffMore general move, goMore specific crossruff, overtrump
- proclaim or announce with or as if with a fanfareSynonyms: trump outMore general announce, denote
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: OE. trumpe, trompe, F. trompe; probably fr. L. triumphare to triumph, to exult, hence, probably, to make a joyous sound or noise. See Triumph, intransitive verb & noun, and cf. Trombone, Tromp, Trump at cards, Trumpery, Trumpet, Trunk a proboscis.
A wind instrument of music; a trumpet, or sound of a trumpet; — used chiefly in Scripture and poetry.
We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.— 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52.
The wakeful trump of doom.— John Milton
Origin: Cf. OF. tromper. See Trump a trumpet.
To blow a trumpet. obsolete Wyclif (Matt. vi. 2).
Origin: A corruption of triumph, F. triomphe. See Triumph, and cf. Trump a trumpet.
1. A winning card; one of a particular suit (usually determined by chance for each deal) any card of which takes any card of the other suits.
2. An old game with cards, nearly the same as whist; — called also ruff. Thomas Decker or Dekker
3. A good fellow; an excellent person. slang
Alfred is a trump, I think you say.— William M. Thackeray
To put to one's trumps, or To put on one's trumps, to force to the last expedient, or to the utmost exertion.
But when kings come so low as to fawn upon philosophy, which before they neither valued nor understood, it is a sign that fails not, they are then put to their last trump.— John Milton
Put the housekeeper to her trumps to accommodate them.— Washington Irving
To play a trump card when one of another suit has been led.
To play a trump card upon; to take with a trump card; as, she trumped the first trick.
Origin: F. tromper to deceive, in OF., to blow a trumpet, se tromper de to mock. See Trump a trumpet.
1. To trick, or impose on; to deceive. obsolete “To trick or trump mankind.” Ben Jonson
2. To impose unfairly; to palm off.
Authors have been trumped upon us.— Charles Leslie
To trump up, to devise; to collect with unfairness; to fabricate; as, to trump up a charge.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54