Dictionary
coup d'é•tat
Pronunciation: (kOO" dā-tä'; Fr. kOO dā-ta'), [key]
—pl. coups d'é•tatPronunciation: (kOO" dā-täz'; Fr. kOO dā-ta'). [key]
a sudden and decisive action in politics, esp. one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.