Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1777-1819, 1880-1969
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TRUMPH, n., v. Also trumf. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. trump, the chief suit in a card game, a splendid person, etc. (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 453, Per., Fif., Lth. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai). Gen.Sc. [trʌmf]Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Plays, etc. 286:
Again Will deals the cartes about Says he, Lads, hearts is trumph.Gsw. 1880 J. J. Bell I remember (1932) 167:
They sometimes played whist for an hour, the older ladies referring to 'trump' as 'trumph'.Ayr. 1896 H. Johnston Dr. Congalton xviii.:
Janet, ye'r a trumph.Arg. 1907 N. Munro Daft Days xi.:
What did you say was trumph?Edb. 1969 J. T. R. Ritchie Golden City 76:
Ye turn the tope card over to see what's to be trumph.
Phrs. (1) trump-about, a form of whist. Also fig. in phr. to play trumph about, to keep on an equal footing with, to vie in achievements with; (2) what's (to be) trumph(s)?, = Eng. "what's doing, how are things, what's on the agenda, what's the latest, what's to be done next?" (Sh., ne.Sc., Per. 1973).(1) Abd. 1777 R. Forbes Ulysses 29:
Achilles played na' trumph about Wi' him, he says; but judge ye.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings (1873) 22:
Syne, uncle soon produc'd a pack An' trump-about gade on as snack.(2) Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick vii., xxx.:
Fat's trumph ower by at Slains? . . . Fat's lickly tae be trumph noo?
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"Trumph n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/trumph>
