— championless , adj. — championlike , adj.
/cham"pee euhn/ , n.
1. a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion.
2. anything that takes first place in competition: the champion of a cattle show.
3. an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows: This dog is a champion.
4. a person who fights for or defends any person or cause: a champion of the oppressed.
5. a fighter or warrior.
v.t.
6. to act as champion of; defend; support: to champion a cause.
7. Obs. to defy.
adj.
8. first among all contestants or competitors.
9. Informal. first-rate.
[ 1175-1225; ME campion- (s. of campio ) kampion-, equiv. to kamp- battle ( campus field, battlefield) + -ion- n. suffix; cf. OE cempa warrior, etc. ]
Syn. 1. winner, victor. 4. defender, protector. 6. maintain, fight for, advocate.
Ant. 1. loser.