spolia opima

American  

[spoh-lee-uh oh-pahy-muh, -pee-, spaw-li-ah aw-pee-mah] / ˈspoʊ li ə oʊˈpaɪ mə, -ˈpi-, ˈspɔ lɪˌɑ ɔˈpi mɑ /

plural noun

1. (in ancient Rome) the arms taken by a victorious general from the leader of a defeated army.

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Etymology

Origin of spolia opima

From Latin spolia opīma “rich spoils”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spolia opima

So the child who had kicked Billy Goodge and taken the spolia opima of paper cocked hat and wooden sword spoke through the man.

From The Fortunate Youth by Locke, William John

The farmer had the carcass at spolia opima, and paid for the fowl with a good grace.

From The Physiology of Taste by Robinson, Fayette

I but made the hares double to your coursing," said Hostilius, carelessly; "and they tell me you have won both the spolia opima and a civic crown.

From The Lion's Brood by Osborne, Duffield

But Robin was hanged for abducting the heiress of Edenbelly, and Alan Breck escaped from James Mohr with the spolia opima, including ‘four snuff-boxes,’ made, perhaps, by Balhaldie himself. 

From Pickle the Spy; Or, the Incognito of Prince Charles by Lang, Andrew

The word for ordinary spoils is spolia, but for these spolia opima.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Stewart, Aubrey