From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Trophy \Tro"phy\, n.; pl. {Trophies}. [F. troph['e]e (cf. It. &
Sp. trofeo), L. tropaeum, trophaeum, Gr. ?, strictly, a
monument of the enemy's defeat, fr.? a turn, especially, a
turning about of the enemy, a putting to flight or routing
him, fr. ? to turn. See {Trope}.]
1. (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.) A sign or memorial of a victory raised
on the field of battle, or, in case of a naval victory, on
the nearest land. Sometimes trophies were erected in the
chief city of the conquered people.
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Note: A trophy consisted originally of some of the armor,
weapons, etc., of the defeated enemy fixed to the trunk
of a tree or to a post erected on an elevated site,
with an inscription, and a dedication to a divinity.
The Romans often erected their trophies in the Capitol.
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2. The representation of such a memorial, as on a medal; esp.
(Arch.), an ornament representing a group of arms and
military weapons, offensive and defensive.
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3. Anything taken from an enemy and preserved as a memorial
of victory, as arms, flags, standards, etc.
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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.
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4. Any evidence or memorial of victory or conquest; as, every
redeemed soul is a trophy of grace.
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