trump Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a playing card in the suit that has been declared trumps
    trump card.
    • the ace of trumps is a sure winner
  2. noun (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
  3. noun a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valves
    horn; trumpet; cornet.
  4. verb produce a sound as if from a trumpet
  5. verb get the better of
    scoop; outdo; outflank; best.
    • the goal was to best the competition
  6. verb play a trump
    ruff.
  7. verb proclaim or announce with or as if with a fanfare
    trump out.

WordNet

Trump noun
Etymology
OE. trumpe, trompe, F. trompe; probably fr. L. triumphare to triumph, to exult, hence, probably, to make a joyous sound or noise. See Triumph, v. i. & n., and cf. Trombone, Tromp, Trump at cards, Trumpery, Trumpet, Trunk a proboscis.
Definitions
  1. 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. Milton.
Trump intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OF. tromper. See Trump a trumpet.
Definitions
  1. To blow a trumpet. Obs. Wyclif (Matt. vi. 2).
Trump noun
Etymology
A corruption of triumph, F. triomphe. See Triumph, and cf. Trump a trumpet.
Definitions
  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. Decker.
  3. A good fellow; an excellent person. Slang
    Alfred is a trump, I think you say. Thackeray.
    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. Milton.
    Put the housekeeper to her trumps to accommodate them. W. Irving.
Trump intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Trumped ; present participle & verbal noun Trumping
Definitions
  1. To play a trump card when one of another suit has been led.
Trump transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To play a trump card upon; to take with a trump card; as, she trumped the first trick.
Trump transitive verb
Etymology
F. tromper to deceive, in OF., to blow a trumpet, se tromper de to mock. See Trump a trumpet.
Definitions
  1. To trick, or impose on; to deceive. Obs. "To trick or trump mankind." B. Jonson.
  2. To impose unfairly; to palm off.
    Authors have been trumped upon us. C. Leslie.

Webster 1913