Coup
/kuː/noun
A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Did you know?The term 'coup' originates from the French for 'blow' or 'strike', reflecting the suddenness of these violent shifts in power.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
Old French
coup
“a blow or strike”
Late Middle Ages
French
coup
“a sudden action or blow, especially in a political context”
18th Century
English
coup
“adopted from French, specifically referring to a sudden overthrow of government”
Modern English
English
coup
“a term commonly used for a sudden and illegal seizure of power”
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