/
kuː/
n.
(pl. coups
/kuːz/
)
-
(also coup d'état)
a sudden violent seizure of power from a government.
- an unexpected and notably successful act.
- Billiards a direct pocketing of the cue ball, which is a foul stroke.
- historical (among North American Indians) an act of touching an enemy, as a deed of bravery.
Etymology
C18: from Fr., from med. L. colpus (see cope1).