n.
- a person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest or other competition.
- a defender of a cause or person.
▸historical a knight who fought in single combat on behalf of the monarch.
v.
support the cause of.
adj.
Brit. informal or
dialect excellent.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from med. L. campio(n-) ‘fighter’, from L. campus (see camp1).