THE FIRST WORD

trump card

PRONUNCIATION:

(trump kard) 

MEANING:

noun:	1. In card games, a suit chosen to rank above the others.
	2. Something that gives an overriding, decisive advantage.

ETYMOLOGY:

An alteration of the word triumph, which was the name of an old card game. Earliest documented use: 1823.

USAGE:

"How big a factor might home advantage be for Kilkenny? Potentially, it could be their trump card."
Vincent Hogan; Kilkenny v Tipperary; Irish Independent (Dublin); Jul 2, 2013.