Coup \Coup\ (k[=oo]), n.

1. A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal at rouge et noir. [Cant]

2. Among some tribes of North American Indians, the act of striking or touching an enemy in warfare with the hand or at close quarters, as with a short stick, in such a manner as by custom to entitle the doer to count the deed an act of bravery; hence, any of various other deeds recognized by custom as acts of bravery or honor.

While the coup was primarily, and usually, a blow with something held in the hand, other acts in warfare which involved great danger to him who performed them were also reckoned coups by some tribes. --G. B. Grinnell.

Among the Blackfeet the capture of a shield, bow, gun, war bonnet, war shirt, or medicine pipe was deemed a coup. --G. B. Grinnell.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Coup \Coup\ v. i. To make a coup.

Woe to the Sioux if the Northern Cheyennes get a chance to coup ! --F. Remington.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Coup \Coup\ (k??), n. [F., fr.L. colaphus a cuff, Gr. ????.]

A sudden stroke; an unexpected device or stratagem; -- a term used in various ways to convey the idea of promptness and force.

Coup de grace (k??" de gr?s") [F.]

, the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke.

Coup de main (k??` de m?n`) [F.]

(Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack.

Coup de soleil (k??` d s?-l?l or -l?"y') [F.]

(Med.), a sunstroke. See Sunstroke.

Coup d'['e]tat (k??" d?-t?") [F.]

(Politics), a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy.

Coup d'[oe]il (k[=oo]` d[~e]l"). [F.]


   (a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view.
   (b) The general effect of a picture.
   (c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)