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champion

 - 7 dictionary results

cham⋅pi⋅on

[cham-pee-uhn]
–noun
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.
–verb (used with object)
6. to act as champion of; defend; support: to champion a cause.
7. Obsolete. to defy.
–adjective
8. first among all contestants or competitors.
9. Informal. first-rate.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME < OF < LL campiōn- (s. of campiō) < WGmc *kampiōn-, equiv. to kamp- battle (< L campus field, battlefield) + -iōn- n. suffix; cf. OE cempa warrior, etc.


cham⋅pi⋅on⋅less, adjective
cham⋅pi⋅on⋅like, adjective


1. winner, victor. 4. defender, protector. 6. maintain, fight for, advocate.


1. loser.

Cham⋅pi⋅on

[cham-pee-uhn]
–noun
Gow⋅er [gou-er] , 1921–80, U.S. choreographer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To champion
cham·pi·on   (chām'pē-ən)   
n.  
  1. One that wins first place or first prize in a competition.

  2. One that is clearly superior or has the attributes of a winner: a champion at teaching.

  3. An ardent defender or supporter of a cause or another person: a champion of the homeless.

  4. One who fights; a warrior.

tr.v.   cham·pi·oned, cham·pi·on·ing, cham·pi·ons
  1. To fight for, defend, or support as a champion: championed the cause of civil rights. See Synonyms at support.

  2. Obsolete To defy or challenge.

adj.  
  1. Holding first place or prize: a champion show dog.

  2. Superior to all others: "the champion playboy of the Western World" (John Millington Synge).


[Middle English champioun, combatant, athlete, from Old French champion, from Medieval Latin campiō, campiōn-, from Latin campus, field.]
Cham·pi·on   (chāmp'yən)   
American dancer who choreographed and directed many musicals, including Hello Dolly! (1964).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

champion 
c.1225, from O.Fr. champion, from L.L. campio (acc. campionem) "gladiator, combatant in the field," from L. campus "field (of combat)" (see campus). Had been borrowed earlier by O.E. as cempa. The verb "to fight for, defend, protect" is from 1820. Championship is from 1825.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Bible Dictionary

Champion

(1 Sam. 17:4, 23), properly "the man between the two," denoting the position of Goliath between the two camps. Single combats of this kind at the head of armies were common in ancient times. In ver. 51 this word is the rendering of a different Hebrew word, and properly denotes "a mighty man."

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Encyclopedia

champion

one who fights in behalf of another. During the Middle Ages a feature of Anglo-Norman law was trial by battle, a procedure in which guilt or innocence was decided by a test of arms. Clergy, children, women, and persons disabled by age or infirmity had the right to nominate champions to fight by proxy.

Learn more about champion with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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