Trō'phy, n.

n. [Fr. trophée, It. & Sp. trofeo, Lat. tropaeum, Gr. τρόπαιον, strictly a monument of the enemy’s defeat, from τροπή, a turn, especially a turning about of the enemy, a putting to flight or routing him, from τρέπειν, to turn.] 1. (Antiq.) (a.) A pile of arms, taken from a vanquished enemy, raised on the field of battle by the conquerors, or, in a victory at sea, on the nearest land, often placed on the trunk of a tree, or fixed on an elevation. (b.) The representation of such a pile in marble, on medals, and the like. 2. Hence, any thing taken and preserved as a memorial of victory, as arms, flags, standards, and the like, taken from an enemy. Around the posts hung helmets, darts, and spears, And captive chariots, axes, shields, and bars, And broken beaks of ships, the trophies of their wars. Dryden.

3. (Arch.) An ornament representing the stem of a tree, charged or encompassed with arms and military weapons, offensive and defensive.
4. Hence, something that is evidence of victory; memorial of conquest; as, every redeemed soul is a trophy of grace.