▪ I. triumph, n.
(ˈtraɪəmf)
Forms: 4–7 triumphe, tryumphe, (5 treyumphe, trihumphe, triumphee, 6 triump, tryhumphe, tryoumffe, Sc. trywmph, trieumph, treumph(e, trewmph), 6–7 tryumph, 6– triumph.
[ME. a. OF. triumphe (12th c.), F. triomphe, = Prov. triomfe, Sp. triunfo, Pg. triumpho, It. trionfo, ad. L. triumph-us (older form triumpus); cf. Gr. θρίαµβος hymn to Bacchus.]
1. Rom. Hist. The entrance of a victorious commander with his army and spoils in solemn procession into Rome, permission for which was granted by the senate in honour of an important achievement in war. Also transf.
| [c 893 K. ælfred Oros. ii. iv. §2 Heora an consul..forsoc þone triumphan [L. triumphum], þe him mon onᵹean brohte.] c 1374 Chaucer Anel. & Arc. 43 With his tryumphe and laurer corovned thus..Let I this noble prince Theseus Towarde Athenes in his wey ryding. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvii. xlviii. (Tollem. MS.), The lauri tre is propirly halowed to triumphes, worshipe of victoures. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 25 Where is Julius, proudest in his empire, With his triumphes moost imperiall? 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, iii. iv. 99 What was I borne to this: that my sad looke, Should grace the Triumph of great Bullingbrooke? 1600 Holland Livy iii. lxiii. 131 This was the first time that ever any triumph was granted by the voices of the people, without the authoritie and assent of the Senatours. 1703 Rowe Ulyss. i. i, Where is the Triumph shall go forth to meet him? 1838–42 Arnold Hist. Rome III. xlvi. 321 Marcellus was anxious to obtain a triumph for his conquest of Syracuse. |
† b. transf. in the ‘philosopher's game’.
Obs.| c 1600 MS. Sloane 451 lf. 1 In it men fight and striue together by the art of comptynge..whether may (the enimies kinge beinge taken) erect a triumphe in his aduersaries campe. Ibid. 1 b, You may make your triumphe, as well of your enimies men taken as of your owne vntaken. 1801 Strutt Sports & Past. iv. ii. (1876) 415 It is..certain that the great object of each player is to take the king from his opponent, because he who succeeds may make his triumph and erect his trophy. |
2. transf. The action or fact of triumphing; victory, conquest, or the glory of this; also, a signal success or achievement. Also
fig.| c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 913 Of the treyumphe he bare the flour In dispite of Mahounde. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3213 He..hadde of folkes dethes suche pitee, That..Al his tryumphe was to hym but peyne. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Visitation of Sick, That thou mayest haue perfit victory and triumph against the deuil, sinne, and death. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 59 For vs he sched his precious blude, With greit tryumph vpon the rude. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii. 119 Like a naked table wherein nothing is painted: euen so is Thebes and her past tryumphs defac'd. 1735 Pope Ep. Lady 225 Wisdom's triumph is well-tim'd Retreat. a 1835 Sir D. Sanford Rise & Progr. Lit. (1847) 40 Of that airy and extravagant spirit,..the Attic comedy, in its first estate, was at once the triumph and the type. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. i. iv. 191 It was the triumph of civilization over brute force. |
† b. transf. The subject of triumph.
Obs. rare.
| 1671 Milton Samson 426 Our Foes Found soon occasion thereby to make thee Thir Captive, and thir triumph. |
† 3. Pomp, as of the procession described in 1; splendour; glory; magnificence.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. lxix. 47 After whiche victory..the sayd Constantyne..was receyued of the Senate with moost triumphe. 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 6 With all triumph hir funerall seruice Was dewlie done. 1671 Milton Samson 1312 This day to Dagon is a solemn Feast, With Sacrifices, Triumph, Pomp, and Games. 1718 Free-thinker No. 68 ¶9 This Ceremony is not performed..with the usual Pomp and Triumph. |
† 4. A public festivity or joyful celebration; a spectacle or pageant;
esp. a tournament.
Obs.| 1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) p. xli, At the same triumphe the Kinge made lvii Knightis. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 682 When publique playes or open triumphes should be shewed, or set forth abrode in the stretes. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 52 What newes from Oxford? Hold those Iusts & Triumphs? 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 290 Many Chambers full of Masking garments, and other abiliments for triumphs and pastimes both for Land and Water. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 276 The River Nile..advances moderately, not doing any dammage: and when it comes they make a generall triumph. a 1721 Prior Ode on Coronation iv, His Peoples blessings greater than his own, And he that gives the Triumph triumphs least. 1825 Hone Every-day Bk. I. 1446 The printed descriptions of these processions [Lord Mayor's show] are usually entitled ‘Triumphs’. [1903 Edin. Rev. Apr. 459 Every event in life was made a pretext for fêtes, processions, and ‘triumphs’.] |
5. The exultation of victory or success; elation; joy; rapturous delight.
| 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. xxviii. 71 That the rest of the Fleete shoulde weye their Ankors, the which..they did begin with great diligence and triumph that the Marriners made. 1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Triumph, great ioy outwardly shewed. 1667 Milton P.L. vii. 180 Great triumph and rejoycing was in Heav'n When such was heard declar'd the Almightie's will. 1761 Gray Fatal Sisters 54 Songs of joy and triumph sing! 1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon II. 57 There was triumph on his countenance. |
b. in triumph, triumphant, rejoicing in victory or success; triumphantly. (
Orig. fig. from 1.)
| 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iii. iii. 18 Let thy dauntlesse minde still ride in triumph, Ouer all mischance. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 537 To see In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 15, I, first of Romans shall in Triumph come From conquer'd Greece, and bring her Trophies home. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xix, Hail to the chief who in triumph advances! |
c. to ride triumph, to ride at full tilt. ?
Obs.| 1761 Sterne Tr. Shandy IV. xvi, To have so many jarring elements breaking loose, and riding triumph in every corner of a gentleman's house. |
† 6. a. A trumpet blast of victory.
b. pl. Shouts of triumph or exultation.
Obs.| 1566 Stapleton Ret. Untr. Jewel Epistle, It is to blowe the Triumphe before the Victory. 1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. i. Wks. 1856 I. 10 Hark how Piero's triumphs beat the ayre. 1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule v. i, The loud Triumphs of the shouting Soldiers. |
† 7. A triumphal
arch. Also
transf. Obs. rare.
| 1644 Evelyn Diary 7 Nov., The people were now generally busye in erecting temporary triumphs and arches with statues and flattering inscriptions. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. lxxix. (1674) 107 Triumphs, Trophies, Statues, and such like things, which are so familiarly seen built in your Streets. 1658 Hist. Christina Q. Swedland 319 The triumphs or statues of Sugar with which they had adorned the table. |
† 8. Cards.
a. = trump n.2 1.
Obs. terrestrial triumph = taroc,
tarot.
| 1529 Latimer 1st Serm. Card in Foxe A. & M. (1563) 1300/2 The game that wee wyll playe at, shall bee called the triumphe... Lette therefore euery Christian manne and woman playe at these cardes, that they maye haue and obteyne the triumph; you must marke also that the triumphe muste apply to fetche home vnto hym all the other cardes, whatsoeuer sute they bee of. 1598 Florio, Gérmini,..a kinde of playing-cards which we call terrestriall triumphs. [1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. xiv. 20 Shee..has Packt Cards with Cæsars, and false plaid my Glory Vnto an Enemies triumph.] |
† b. An obsolete card-game;
= trump n.2 1 b.
| 1529 [see 8 a]. 1554 Interlude Youth C iv, At the cardes I can theche you to play, At the triump [ed. 1561 triumph], and one and thyrtye. 1594 Carew Huarte's Exam. Wits viii. (1596) 112 Playing at Cent, and at Triumph. 1626 tr. Boccalini's New-found Politicke iii. xiii. (heading), A Poetaster for playing at Cards, and deuising the Game called Triumph or Trump, is brought before Apollo. |
9. attrib. and
Comb., as
triumph-bough,
triumph-day,
triumph-hour,
triumph-path,
triumph-robe,
triumph-salute,
triumph-song,
triumph-tear,
triumph-tune,
triumph-wise;
triumph-decking adj.; also
† triumph-church, the Church triumphant;
triumph-gate, the gate through which a triumphing general entered Rome; in
quot. transf.| a 1637 B. Jonson Sad Sheph. i. ii, [Why should not] each of us cut down a *triumph-bough? |
| c 1620 in Farr S.P. Jas. I (1847) 318 Shyne bright in the *Triumph Church, faire soule, That in the Militant has shyn'd so longe. |
| 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 66 For gay apparell gainst the *triumph day. 1827 Pollok Course T. x. 109 Great triumph-day of God's Incarnate Son. |
| 1646 Sir R. Fanshawe tr. Guarino's Faithf. Sheph. iv. iv. 165 Ye *triumph-decking Lawrell boughs, Empale my glorious and victorious brows. |
| 1880 G. Meredith Tragic Com. (1881) 143 This handsome, undaunted, *triumph-flashing man. |
| 1848 Eliza Cook Old Palace i, Its *triumph-gates were flinging wide. |
| 1892 R. F. Towndrow Garden, etc. 65 The elms are clad in *triumph-robes of gold. |
| 1844 Regul. & Ord. Army 37 The forts and batteries from which *Triumph Salutes are usually fired. |
| 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 154 b, The voyces of the glade and ioyfull sort, singing true and eternall *triumph-songes in heauen. |
| c 1586 Sidney Ps. lxvi. i, All lands..With *triumph tunes Gods honor sound. |
| 1565 Golding Ovid's Met. iv. (1593) 95 In *triumph-wise accomplishing her hest. |
▪ II. triumph, v. (
ˈtraɪəmf)
Forms: see
prec. n. [a. OF. triumpher (13th c.), F. triompher, = Prov. triomfar, Sp. triunfar, Pg. triumphar, It. trionfare, ad. L. triumphāre, f. triumphus triumph.] 1. intr. To celebrate a Roman triumph.
| 1530 Palsgr. 762/2, I tryumphe for a conquest or a victorye gotten... It was a marvaylouse syght to se the Romanynes tryumphe, whan they had the vyctorie of their ennemyes. 1607 Shakes. Cor. ii. i. 194 Would'st thou haue laugh'd, had I come Coffin'd home, That weep'st to see me triumph? a 1656 Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 675 Upon the Ides of December, Q. Pedius Triumphed for Spain. 1764 Gibbon Misc. Wks. (1814) IV. 375 He triumphed for his victories over the great Mithridates. 1846 Keightley Notes Virg., Bucol. x. 26 The custom of the Roman generals, when triumphing and attired as Jupiter, to have their faces tinged with minium. |
2. To be victorious; to prevail; to gain the mastery. Const.
over,
† against,
† on,
† of,
† in.
| 1508 Dunbar Poems vii. 2 Renownit, ryall, right reuerend and serene Lord, hie trywmphing in wirschip and valoure. a 1520 ― Poems xxxvii. 39 He deit triumphand, he raiss and wan the feild. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Private Baptism, To triumph againste hym [the devil], the worlde, and the fleshe. 1590 Spenser F.Q. ii. x. 56 [Bunduca]..Triumphed oft against her enemis; And yet, though overcome.., Shee triumphed on death. 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 77 Those two armies that would let him go Rather then triumph in so false a foe. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 39 Nations twice triumphed of. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 452 He shall ascend With victory, triumphing through the aire Over his foes and thine. c 1708 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett., to Miss A. Wortley 27 Aug. (1887) I. 37 Destiny triumphs over all your efforts. 1838 Thirlwall Greece II. xvi. 342 After praying them to remember his good will, if the cause of Greece triumphed, he rode away. |
† b. trans. To cause to triumph.
Obs. rare.
| a 1571 Jewel On Thess. (1611) 143 God..hath triumphed the name of his Christ. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) 2 Cor. ii. 14 Thankes be to God, who alwaies triumpheth vs in Christ Iesus. |
† c. To triumph over; to conquer.
Obs.| 1603 B. Jonson Sejanus i. i, We, that,..were born Free, equal lords of the triumphed world, And knew no masters, but affections. 1626 Massinger Rom. Actor ii. i, Two and thirty legions, that awe All nations of the triumphed world. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 572 So oft they fell Into the same illusion, not as Man Whom they triumph'd once lapst. |
† 3. intr. To be in a state of pomp or magnificence.
Cf. prec. 3.
Obs.| 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 388 b/2 Thou shalt tryumphe as a quene in my royame. 1538 Starkey England i. iv. 131 Yongur bretherne go a beggyng, where as the eldur hath tryumphyd and lyuyd in plesure. 1553 Respublica v. v. 1472 Making these newe Ladies of hir werie, We shoulde thrihumphe & reigne. 1568 [see triumphing vbl. n.]. |
4. ‘To rejoice for victory’; to be elated at another's defeat, discomfiture, or the like; ‘to insult upon an advantage gained’ (J.); hence, to rejoice, exult, be elated or glad; to glory.
| 1535 Coverdale Ps. xii[i]. 2 How longe shal myne enemie triumphe ouer me? Ibid. xciii[i]. 3 How longe shal the vngodly tryumphe? 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding (1611) 371 S. Paul triumphed of that thing that in the world was so deepely despised. 1572 tr. Buchanan's Detection O j, Quhen rage..shall ragingly triumph vpon the goods and blude of poore subiectis. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. vi. 8 France, triumph in thy glorious Prophetesse. 1594 ― Rich. III, iii. iv. 91 Triumphing at mine enemies. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 74 They..triumph of diuers Citizens borne heere. 1746 Francis tr. Hor., Sat. ii. iii. 48 Good sir, don't triumph in your own disease. 1825 Scott Betrothed viii, The laugh and the song..which triumphed by anticipation over their surrender. |
| fig. 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 12 To praise the cleare vnmatched red and white, Which triumpht in that skie of his delight. Ibid. 1388 In great commaunders, Grace, and Maiestie You might behold triumphing in their faces. 1593 ― Rich. II, iii. ii. 77 The blood of twentie thousand men Did triumph in my face. |
† 5. intr. Cards. To trump.
Obs. rare.
| 1563 [see triumphing ppl. a.]. 1626 B. Jonson Fortunate Isles Wks. 650/1 The four knaves entertain'd for the guards Of the kings and the queens that triumph in the cards. |
Hence
ˈtriumphed ppl. a.| 1603, 1626 [see sense 2 c]. |