trump¹ / trəmp/ • n. (in bridge, whist, and similar card games) a playing card of the suit chosen to rank above the others, which can win a trick where a card of a different suit has been led. ∎  (trumps) the suit having this rank in a particular hand: the ace of trumps. ∎  (in a tarot pack) any of a special suit of 22 cards depicting symbolic and typical figures and scenes. ∎  (also trump card) fig. a valuable resource that may be used, esp. as a surprise, in order to gain an advantage: in this month General Haig decided to play his trump card: the tank. ∎ inf., dated a helpful or admirable person.• v. [tr.] (in bridge, whist, and similar card games) play a trump on (a card of another suit), having no cards of the suit led. ∎ fig. beat (someone or something) by saying or doing something better: if the fetus is human life, that trumps any argument about the freedom of the mother.PHRASAL VERBS: trump something up invent a false accusation or excuse: they've trumped up charges against her.trump² • n. archaic a trumpet or a trumpet blast.

trump in bridge, whist, and similar card games, a playing card of the suit chosen to rank above the others, which can win a trick where a card of a different suit has been led; (in a tarot pack) any of a special suit of 22 cards depicting symbolic and typical figures and scenes. The word is an alteration of triumph, once used in card games in the same sense.
come (or turn) up trumps (of a person or situation) have a better performance or outcome than expected.
trump something up invent a false accusation or excuse.

trump2 card of a suit that ranks above all others XVI; first-rate fellow XIX. alt. of TRIUMPH, also used in this sense and for an obs. card-game.
Hence trump vb. put a trump on (a trick); †get in the way XVI; †bring up or forward XVII; get up unscrupulously.

trump1 (arch.) trumpet. XIII. ME. trompe — (O)F., of Gmc. orig. (cf. OHG. trumpa, trumba, ON. trumba, prob. of imit. orig.).
So trump vb. XIII — (O)F. tromper.