triumph-

Do not sing your triumph before the victory.

In other words, "Don't start bragging before the contest is over."

Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ triumphs.

On Christmas day of the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III and accepted all privileges and duties of protector and ruler over the entire occidental world.

He was a patron of arts and sciences and gathered at his court scholars and literary men of all nations. He founded schools at Aachen, Colgne, Fulda, Hersfeld, Reichenau, Salzburg, and St. Gallen (Germany) to spread religious and secular knowledge throughout his realm. He is buried in the Cathedral of Aachen, Germany, constructed during his reign.

1. In card games, a card from a suit declared to be higher in value than any other suit, or the suit itself.
2. A highly valuable resource or advantage, especially one held in reserve for future use.
3. An admirable or reliable person; informal usage.
4. Etymology: "playing card of a suit ranking above others" from 1529, alteration of triumph, name of a card game.

The verb meaning "to surpass, to beat" is attested from 1586.