Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   coup

   /kuː/

   noun

   • 1. a sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government: "he was overthrown in an army coup" Similar seizure of powercoup d'étatoverthrowtakeoveroustingdepositionregime changebloodless couppalace revolutionrebellionrevoltinsurrectionmutinyrevolutioninsurgenceinsurgencyrisingriotingriotjacquerieputschOpposite election
   • 2. an instance of successfully achieving something difficult: "it was a major coup to get such a prestigious contract" Similar successtriumphfeatsuccessful manoeuvrestuntaccomplishmentachievementattainmentstrokemaster strokestroke of geniusscooptour de force
   • ▪ an unusual or unexpected but successful tactic in card play.
   • 3. a direct pocketing of the cue ball, which is a foul stroke.
   • 4. (among some North American Indian peoples) an act of touching an armed enemy in battle as a deed of bravery, or an act of first touching an item of the enemy's in order to claim it. historical

   Word Origin late 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin colpus ‘blow’ (see cope1).

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • P

     3

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points