coup(koo) a brilliant stratagem; overturn; upset: His win was quite a coup.Not to be confused with:coop ? an enclosure or cage: a chicken coop; a co-op: They bought their food at a co-op.coupe ? a closed two-door car; a frozen dessert: She chose the coupe rather than the sedan.Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embreecoup (ko?o)n. pl. coups (ko?oz) 1. A brilliantly executed stratagem; a triumph.2. a. A coup d’état.b. A sudden appropriation of leadership or power; a takeover: a boardroom coup.3. Among certain Native American peoples, a feat of bravery performed in battle, especially the touching of an enemy’s body without causing injury.Idiom: count coup Among certain Native American peoples, to ceremoniously recount one’s exploits in battle.[French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.coup (ku?) n1. a brilliant and successful stroke or action2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) short for coup d’état[C18: from French: blow, from Latin colaphus blow with the fist, from Greek kolaphos]coup (ka?p) or cowpvbto turn or fall overna rubbish tip[C15: perhaps identical with obsolete cope to strike; see cope1]coup (ka?p) vbScot to barter; traffic; deal[C14: from Old Norse kaupa to buy]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014coup (ku) n., pl. coups (ko?o?z; Fr. ko?o?). 1. a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move. 2. (among the Plains Indians of North America) a daring deed performed in battle by a warrior, as touching an enemy without sustaining injury oneself. 3. coup d’état. [1640?50;