coup /kuː/noun 6verb 4forms 3 noun6 •A quick, brilliant, and highly successful act.The conference was a major coup for Robarts, who received congratulations for his 'expert handling' of the 'risky venture.' — 2000 •A coup d'état. •A takeover of one group by another. •One of various named strategies employed by the declarer to win more tricks, such as the Bath coup. •(US, historical) Of Native Americans, a blow against an enemy delivered in a way that demonstrates bravery.Among the Blackfeet the capture of a shield, bow, gun, war bonnet, war shirt, or medicine pipe was deemed a coup. — 1892 •A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal in rouge et noir.After seven coups he had won six times. He lost on the seventh when thirty came up. — 1953 verb4 •To execute a coup.The squaws of another race will sing the death-song of their benefactor, and woe to the Sioux if the Northern Cheyennes get a chance to coup ! — 1895 •(informal) To subject (a nation) to a coup d'état.We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it. — 2020 •To empty out, overturn, or tilt, such as from a cart or wheelbarrow. •(Scotland, Northern-England) To exchange, barter.To Coup, to exchange. “I’ll coup thee,” I will give you this for that. “Will you coup seats with me?” exchange seats. See To Swap. — 1855 formscouped · couping · coups
