Definition of coup d'état
coups d'état
orcoups d'etat
play \ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä, -də-\: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics; especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group a military coup d'état of the dictator
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Origin and Etymology of coup d'état
French, literally, stroke of state
First Known Use: 1646
COUP D'ÉTAT Defined for English Language Learners
coup d'état
playDefinition of coup d'état for English Language Learners
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: a sudden attempt by a small group of people to take over the government usually through violence
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See words that rhyme with coup d'état Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coup d'état
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