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Definitions for: Coup
[n] a brilliant and notable success
[n] a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
Webster (1913) Definition: Coup (k??), n. [F., fr.L. colaphus a cuff, Gr. ????.]
A sudden stroke; an unexpected device or stratagem; -- a term
used in various ways to convey the idea of promptness and
force.
Coup de grace (k??" de gr?s") [F.], the stroke of mercy
with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of
the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke.
Coup de main (k??` de m?n`) [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and
unexpected movement or attack.
Coup de soleil (k??` d s?-l?l or -l?"y') [F.] (Med.), a
sunstroke. See Sunstroke.
Coup d'['e]tat (k??" d?-t?") [F.] (Politics), a sudden,
decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government
is subverted without the consent of the people; an
unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a
stroke of policy.
Coup d'[oe]il (k[=oo]` d[~e]l"). [F.]
(a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive
view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view.
(b) The general effect of a picture.
(c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a
glance the weakness or strength of a military position,
of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous
position for a battlefield, etc.
Coup (k[=oo]), n.
1. A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal at rouge
et noir. [Cant]
2. Among some tribes of North American Indians, the act of
striking or touching an enemy in warfare with the hand or
at close quarters, as with a short stick, in such a manner
as by custom to entitle the doer to count the deed an act
of bravery; hence, any of various other deeds recognized
by custom as acts of bravery or honor.
While the coup was primarily, and usually, a blow
with something held in the hand, other acts in
warfare which involved great danger to him who
performed them were also reckoned coups by some
tribes. --G. B.
Grinnell.
Among the Blackfeet the capture of a shield, bow,
gun, war bonnet, war shirt, or medicine pipe was
deemed a coup. --G. B.
Grinnell.
Coup v. i.
To make a coup.
Woe to the Sioux if the Northern Cheyennes get a chance
to coup ! --F.
Remington.
Synonyms: coup d'etat, putsch, takeover
See Also: group action, October Revolution, Russian Revolution, success
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