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   Coup

   /ko͞o/

   

   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. a notable or successful stroke or move: "it was a major coup to get such a prestigious contract" Similar successtriumphfeatsuccessful maneuverstuntaccomplishmentachievementattainmentstrokemaster strokestroke of geniusscooptour de force
   • ▪ an unusual or unexpected but successful tactic in card play.
   • 3. (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
   • 4. a contusion caused by contact of the brain with the skull at the point of trauma.

   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

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