Champion

Pronunciation:

\ˈcham-pē-ən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin campion-, campio, of West Germanic origin; akin to Old English cempa warrior

Date:

13th century

1: warrior, fighter
2: a militant advocate or defender (a champion of civil rights)
3: one that does battle for another's rights or honor (God will raise me up a champion--Sir Walter Scott)
4: a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also : one who shows marked superiority

--Merriam-Webster Online