coup détat


coup d'é•tat

(ˌku deɪˈtɑ)

n., pl. coups d'é•tat (ˌku deɪˈtɑz, -ˈtɑ) a sudden and decisive action in politics, esp. one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force. [1640–50; < French: literally, stroke concerning the state]