coup d'état
[ koo dey-tah; French koo dey-ta ]
/ ˌku deɪˈtɑ; French ku deɪˈta /
noun, plural coups d'é·tat [koo dey-tahz; French koo dey-ta] /ˌku deɪˈtɑz; French ku deɪˈta/.
a sudden and decisive action in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force.
Origin of coup d'état
1640–50; < French: literally, stroke concerning the state
SYNONYMS FOR coup d'état
Words nearby coup d'état
county seat,
county town,
coup,
coup d'essai,
coup d'oeil,
coup d'état,
coup de foudre,
coup de grâce,
coup de main,
coup de maître,
coup de poing
British Dictionary definitions for coup d'état
coup d'état
/ (ˈkuː deɪˈtɑː, French ku deta) /
noun plural coups d'état (ˈkuːz deɪˈtɑː, French ku deta)
a sudden violent or illegal seizure of government
Word Origin for coup d'état
French, literally: stroke of state
Cultural definitions for coup d'état
coup d'état
[ (kooh day-tah) ]
A quick and decisive seizure of governmental power by a strong military or political group. In contrast to a revolution, a coup d'état, or coup, does not involve a mass uprising. Rather, in the typical coup, a small group of politicians or generals arrests the incumbent leaders, seizes the national radio and television services, and proclaims itself in power. Coup d'état is French for “stroke of the state” or “blow to the government.”