Coup de main

Coup de main
Coup Coup (k[=oo]), n. [F., fr.L. colaphus a cuff, Gr. ko`lafos.] 1. A sudden stroke delivered with promptness and force; -- used also in various ways to convey the idea of an unexpected, clever, and successful tactic or stratagem. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. A single roll of the wheel at roulette, or a deal at rouge et noir. [Cant] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

3. Among some tribes of North American Indians especially of the Great Plains, the act of striking or touching an enemy in warfare with the hand or at close quarters, as with a short stick, in such a manner as by custom to entitle the doer to count the deed an act of bravery; hence, any of various other deeds recognized by custom as acts of bravery or honor.

While the coup was primarily, and usually, a blow with something held in the hand, other acts in warfare which involved great danger to him who performed them were also reckoned coups by some tribes. --G. B. Grinnell.

Among the Blackfeet the capture of a shield, bow, gun, war bonnet, war shirt, or medicine pipe was deemed a coup. --G. B. Grinnell. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Coup de grace} (k[=oo]` de gr[.a]s") [F.], the stroke of mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke.

{Coup de main} (k[=oo]` de m[a^]N") [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack.

{Coup de soleil} (k[=o]` de s[-o]*l[asl]l or -l[asl]"y') [F.] (Med.), a sunstroke. See {Sunstroke}.

{Coup d'['e]tat} (k[=oo]" d[asl]*t[aum]") [F.] (Politics), a sudden, decisive exercise of power whereby the existing government is subverted without the consent of the people; an unexpected measure of state, more or less violent; a stroke of policy.

{Coup d'[oe]il} (k[=oo]` d[~e]l"). [F.] (a) A single view; a rapid glance of the eye; a comprehensive view of a scene; as much as can be seen at one view. (b) The general effect of a picture. (c) (Mil.) The faculty or the act of comprehending at a glance the weakness or strength of a military position, of a certain arrangement of troops, the most advantageous position for a battlefield, etc. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Coup de Main — [kud mɛ̃] der; , s [ku...] <aus gleichbed. fr. coup de main> Handstreich, rascher gelungener Angriff; Hilfeleistung …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Coup de Main — [kud mɛ̃], der; , s [kud mɛ̃; frz., zu: main = Hand] (veraltet): Handstreich, rascher gelungener Angriff …   Universal-Lexikon

  • coup de main* — coup de main [[t]kudə ˈmɛ̃[/t]] n. pl. coups de main [[t]kudə ˈmɛ̃[/t]] French. fot mil a surprise attack; a sudden development • Etymology: lit., blow from the hand …   From formal English to slang

  • Coup de main — ● Coup de main aide apportée à quelqu un ; habileté dans la manière de faire ; opération militaire locale menée par surprise sur un objectif limité …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • coup de main — [ko͞od man′] n. [Fr, lit., stroke of hand] a surprise attack or movement, as in war …   English World dictionary

  • Coup de main — A coup de main is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow. The United States Department of Defense defines it as: “ An offensive operation that capitalizes on surprise and simultaneous… …   Wikipedia

  • Coup de main — Sur les autres projets Wikimedia : « Coup de main », sur le Wiktionnaire (dictionnaire universel) Tactique de guérilla consistant à harceler grâce à une grande mobilité et furtivité, l adversaire sur ses points les moins défendus… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • coup de main — [ˌku: də macoup de main] noun (plural coups de main pronunciation same) a sudden surprise attack. Origin Fr., lit. stroke of hand …   English new terms dictionary

  • coup de main — noun (plural coups de main) Etymology: French, literally, hand stroke Date: 1758 a sudden attack in force …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • coup de main — /koohdeu maonn /, pl. coups de main /koohdeu maonn /. French. a surprise attack; a sudden development. [lit., blow from the hand] * * * …   Universalium

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