Coup-de-foudre
[kooduh foo-druh] /kudə ˈfu drə/
noun, plural coups de foudre
[kooduh foo-druh] /kudə ˈfu drə/ (Show IPA). French.
1.
a thunderbolt.
2.
love at first sight.
/ku də fudrə/
noun (pl) coups de foudre (ku də fudrə)
1.
a sudden and amazing action or event
noun
any sudden unforeseen event
Word Origin
F. lit. stroke of lightning
Usage Note
pl coups de foudre
n.
1779, from French coup de foudre, literally “stroke of lightning,” also “love at first sight” (see coup).
Read Also:
- Coup-de-grace
[kooduh grahs] /kudə ˈgrɑs/ noun, plural coups de grâce [kooduh grahs] /kudə ˈgrɑs/ (Show IPA). French. 1. a death blow, especially one delivered mercifully to end suffering. 2. any finishing or decisive stroke. /ku də ɡrɑs/ noun (pl) coups de grâce (ku də ɡrɑs) 1. a mortal or finishing blow, esp one delivered as an […]
- Coup-de-main
[kooduh man] /kudə ˈmɛ̃/ noun, plural coups de main [kooduh man] /kudə ˈmɛ̃/ (Show IPA). French. 1. a surprise attack; a sudden development. /ku də mɛ̃/ noun (pl) coups de main (ku də mɛ̃) 1. (mainly military) an attack that achieves complete surprise
- Coup de maitre
[kooduh me-truh] /kudə ˈmɛ trə/ noun, plural coups de maître [kooduh me-truh] /kudə ˈmɛ trə/ (Show IPA). French. 1. a master stroke. noun a clever or well-timed action; masterstroke Word Origin French ‘stroke of a master’
- Coup-de-poing
[French kooduh pwan] /French kudə ˈpwɛ̃/ noun, plural coups de poing [French kooduh pwan] /French kudə ˈpwɛ̃/ (Show IPA). Archaeology. 1. (no longer in technical use) a Lower Paleolithic stone hand ax, pointed or ovate in shape and having sharp cutting edges.
- Coup-de-theatre
[kooduh tey-ah-truh] /kudə teɪˈɑ trə/ noun, plural coups de théâtre [kooduh tey-ah-truh] /kudə teɪˈɑ trə/ (Show IPA). French. 1. a surprising or unexpected turn of events in a play. 2. a sensational and unexpected turn in the plot of a drama. 3. any theatrical trick intended to have a sensational effect. /ku də teɑtrə/ noun […]