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coup d'état

The definition of a coup d etat is a sudden, forced overthrow of a government or a ruler.

(noun)

An example of a coup d etat is a violent takeover of a government.

See coup d'état in Webster's New World College Dictionary

the sudden, forcible overthrow of a ruler, government, etc., sometimes with violence, by a small group of people already having some political or military authority

Origin: Fr, lit., stroke of state

See coup d'état in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. coups d'état (ko͞oˌ) or coup d'états (dā-täzˈ)

The sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: : coup, blow, stroke

Origin: + de, of

Origin: + état, state

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