trumping

trump ¹  (trmp)

n.

1. Games

a. A suit in card games that outranks all other suits for the duration of a hand. Often used in the plural.

b. A card of such a suit.

c. A trump card.

2. A key resource to be used at an opportune moment.

3. Informal A reliable or admirable person.

v. trumped, trump·ing, trumps

v.tr.

1. Games To take (a card or trick) with a trump.

2. To get the better of (an adversary or competitor, for example) by using a crucial, often hidden resource.

v.intr. Games

To play a trump.

Phrasal Verb:

trump up

To devise fraudulently: trumped up a charge of conspiracy.

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[Alteration of triumph.]

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trump ²  (trmp)

n.

A trumpet.

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[Middle English trompe, from Old French; see trumpet.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

trumping - (card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit ruff turn, play - (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play" card game, cards - a game played with playing cards bridge - any of various card games based on whist for four players