| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| coup |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  k |
| NOUN: | Inflected forms: pl. coups (kz)
1. A brilliantly executed stratagem; a triumph. 2a. A coup d'état. b. A sudden appropriation of leadership or power; a takeover: a boardroom coup. 3. Among certain Native American peoples, a feat of bravery performed in battle, especially the touching of an enemy's body without causing injury. | | IDIOM: | count coup Among certain Native American peoples, to ceremoniously recount one's exploits in battle. | | ETYMOLOGY: | French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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