Main Entry:

coup d'état

Variant(s):

or coup d'etat \ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌ, -də-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural coups d'état or coups d'etat \-ˈtä(z), -ˌtä(z)\

Etymology:

French, literally, stroke of state

Date:

1646

: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics ; especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group