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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Trophe(e, n. Also: tropheum. [e.m.E. trophe (1550), trophee (1569), tropheum (1570-6), trophy (1612), F. trophée, L. trop(h)æum.]

1. A memorial to victory in battle in the form of captured armour hung up in a public place. 1513 Doug. x ix 91.
Serestus sortis vp hys armour gay … To hyng as trophe or syng victoriall Tyll Mars 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 1.
The[re] ware hinging their as trophees several peices of armour that they had taken from the French in their wars with them

b. A token or symbol of victory, more generally. 1513 Doug. x xiii 45.
I awow, … In syng of trophe or triumphall meith, My lovit son Lawsus forto cleith With spulȝe … rent … Of ȝondir rubbaris body 1549 Compl. 149/4.
He that hed venqueist his enemye be practik of veyr … vas crounit vitht ane croune of laure tre … This last tryumphe of laure tre vas callit tropheum, quhilk singnifeis ane ioyful victoree 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 146.
Quhill deith grant unto yow to ane trophee of victorie of my banes

c. fig. c1590 Fowler I 147/5.
No glorious triumphe nor trophe be my baile Can come to thé of my orconqueist corse Who never in my faithe … resisted ones thy force

2. Anything won in battle, a prize; spoils. 1513 Doug. xi iv 75.
For all the Tuscane menȝe … Gret trophe [Ruddim. trophee] and rich spulȝe hydder bryngis

3. A thing that betokens, celebrates or commemorates (something); a monument, memorial. c1590 Fowler I 188/12.
Lovs pryde and pompe of his triumphant cairte, Yeild grace to me the trophee of extremes 1602 Colville Paraenese 111.
Sanct Hierom after he had callit Rome a Babylon … addit notuythstanding theis vords … thair is in hir ane holy church a treu profession of Cryst and the trophees or enseinges of many blessed martyrs 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. ix 9.
So shall my Muse rich trophes rayse To eternize thy endles prayse

4. A triumph, victory. 1687 Lauder Notices Affairs II 774.
Reid the mountebank is reseaved into the Popish church, and one of his blackamores was persuaded to accept of baptisme … which was a great trophee

5. Trophee work, ? decorative workmanship involving the symbols of victory. 1694 Edinb. Hammermen in Arch. Scot. I 181.
[To be added to the founders essay] a buckle of trophee work