Cham"pi*on , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Championed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Championing.]
[Obs.] Shak.
2.
To furnish with a champion; to attend or defend as champion; to support or maintain; to protect.
Championed
or unchampioned, thou diest.
Sir W.
Scott.
Cham"pi*on (chăm"p&ibreve;*ŭn), n. [F. champion, fr. LL. campio, of German origin; cf. OHG. chempho, chemphio, fighter, champf, G.
kampf, contest; perh. influenced by L. campus field, taken in the
sense of "field of battle."]
1. One who engages in any contest; esp. one who in ancient times contended in single combat in behalf of
another's honor or rights; or one who now acts or speaks in behalf of
a person or
a cause; a defender; an advocate; a hero.
A
stouter champion never handled sword.
Shak.
Champions of law and liberty.
Fisher
Ames.
2. One who by
defeating all rivals, has
obtained an acknowledged supremacy in any branch of
athletics or game of skill, and is
ready to contend with any rival; as,
the champion of England.
&fist;
Champion is used attributively in the sense of
surpassing all
competitors; overmastering; as, champion pugilist;
champion chess player.
Syn. -- Leader; chieftain; combatant; hero; warrior; defender; protector.
Hear it pronounced