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coup

(k)

n. pl. coups (kz)

1. A brilliantly executed stratagem; a triumph.

a. 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.

[French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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