Coup


[koo] /ku/

noun, plural coups
[kooz; French koo] /kuz; French ku/ (Show IPA)
1.
a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move; a clever action or accomplishment.
2.
(among the Plains Indians of North America) a brave or reckless deed performed in battle by a single warrior, as touching or striking an enemy warrior without sustaining injury oneself.
3.
.
Idioms
4.
count coup,

[kohp, koop] /koʊp, kup/
verb (used with or without object), Scot.
1.
overturn; upset.
/kuː/
noun
1.
a brilliant and successful stroke or action
2.
short for coup d’état
/kaʊp/
verb
1.
to turn or fall over
noun
2.
a rubbish tip
/kaʊp/
verb
1.
(Scot) to barter; traffic; deal
n.

c.1400, from Old French coup, colp “a blow, strike” (12c.), from Medieval Latin colpus, from Vulgar Latin colapus, from Latin colaphus “a cuff, box on the ear,” from Greek kolaphos “a blow, slap.” Meaning “a sudden decisive act” is 1852, short for coup d’etat. In Modern French the word is a workhorse, describing everything from a pat on the back to a whipping, and is used as well of thunder, gusts of wind, gunshots, and chess moves.
coup [(kooh)]

In politics, an abbreviation for coup d’état.

Read Also:

  • 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 […]

  • 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.


Disclaimer: Coup definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.