a. (sb.) [ad. L. triumphānt-em, pres. pple. of triumphāre to TRIUMPH, or a. F. † triumphant, triomphant (15th c.): see -ANT.]
1. Celebrating a triumph or victory; of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or befitting a triumph; triumphal. Now rare.
1531. Elyot, Gov., III. xxi. They wold haue set his image in triumphant apparaile within the capitole.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 48 b. An arche triumphante, whiche shalbe made at the place where the iustes shalbe.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. i. 22. Like Captiues bound to a Triumphant Carre.
1651. H. L’Estrange, Smectymnuo-mastix, 6. Let us … chant that triumphant Ode which … the Children of Israel sung upon the overthrow of the Egyptians in the red sea.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. xiv. 246. The triumphant feast … after a victory.
1876. Freeman, Hist. Sk., 50. That long procession of triumphant virgins … bearing their gifts to their Lord on the knees of His Mother.
2. That has achieved victory or success; conquering; ‘victorious; graced with conquest’ (J.)
Church Triumphant: see CHURCH 4 b.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., 442. Kyng Edwarde … gaue to the sayde Scottys batayll, and of them had tryumphaunte victorye.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. III. liv. (W. de W., 1531), 251 b. Let vs gyue praysynges to god for the chirche triumphant.
1575–85. Abp. Sandys, Serm., xiv. (Parker Soc.), 283. He is that triumphant prince, which hath most victoriously vanquished and thrown under foot our enemies.
1683. Brit. Spec., 134. Whilst in all other Provinces … Cruelty and Slaughter were Triumphant, the Christians here began to repair their demolished Churches.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 401. The Spartan State which became afterwards so Triumphant in Greece.
1819. Byron, Mazeppa, I. i. The power and glory of the war … Had pass’d to the triumphant Czar.
1878. Browning, La Saisiaz, 267. There is no reconciling … Goodness with triumphant evil.
† b. transf. Of or gained by conquest. Obs. rare–1.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., cli. My soule doth tell my body that he may Triumph in loue, flesh … doth point out thee As his triumphant prize.
† 3. Splendid; glorious; magnificent; noble; notable. Obs.
1494. in Lett. Rich. III. & Hen. VII. (Rolls), I. 394. A tryhumphant sight.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 419. King Henrie maried Iane Duches of Briteyne … and with all triumphant pompe conueyed her through the Citie of London to Westminster.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., V. iii. 83. Ile burie thee in a triumphant graue. Ibid. (1606), Ant. & Cl., II. ii. 190. She’s a most triumphant Lady, if report be square to her.
1696. Phillips (ed. 5), Triumphant, Victorious, Magnificent, Pompous, Superb.
4. Rejoicing or exulting for or as for victory; triumphing; exultant.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. ii. 84. Thinke you, but that I know our state secure, I would be so triumphant as I am?
1604. R. Cawdrey, Table Alph., Triumphant, reioycing for the conquest.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxi. The cavaliero thought … he was to be called to no account, but was to go off triumphant.
1827. Lytton, Pelham, lx. The papers … were filled with the most triumphant abuse and ridicule of the Whigs.
1907. Verney Mem., I. 206. The triumphant cries of an immense multitude.
† B. sb. [cf. obs. F. triumphant (Godef., Compl.).] One who triumphs; a victor, conqueror. Obs.
1562. J. Shute, Cambini’s Turk. Wars, 18 b. The number of the triumphantes was in maner infinite, thei had no desyre but to robbe.
1629. J. M., trans. Fonseca’s Devout Contempl., 242. Saint Chrysostome reports of the Roman Triumphantes, That some entred Rome in Chariots drawne with pyde Horses.
1696. Aubrey, Misc. (1721), 185. It hath been observed, That after Triumphs, the Triumphants have been sick in Spirit.
1812. Southey, Omniana, I. 227. Triumphant generals in Rome wore Rouge…. Our fair ever-blushing triumphants have secured to themselves the charm of picturesque cheeks.
