I. ˈtrōfē, -fi noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French trophee, from Latin trophaeum, tropaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of turning, of defeat, from tropē action of turning, enemy's retreat; akin to Greek trepein to turn — more at trope
1.
a. : a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or in case of a naval victory on the nearest land or sometimes in the chief city either of the victorious or the conquered people and consisting originally of spoils (as armor or weapons) of the defeated enemy fixed to the trunk of a tree or to a post on an elevated site with an inscription and a dedication to a divinity
b. : a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal) ; also : an architectural ornament representing a group of arms and military weapons offensive and defensive
2. : an evidence or memorial of victory or conquest: as
a. : something (as arms, flags, standards) taken from an enemy by force of arms and preserved as a memorial
b. : spoils of the hunting field especially when suitable for mounting
c. : something (as a laurel wreath, a medal, or a piece of plate) given or received as an award for victory in a contest
a mantel covered with tennis trophies
3. : something kept or cherished usually as a memento and gained by personal effort
trophies of her social success
gathered trophies of an earlier civilization
less a wife than a trophy
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to place trophies on or in : honor or adorn with a trophy
III. noun
Usage: often attributive
: one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status
a trophy wife
a trophy home