[koo dey-tah; Fr. koo dey-ta] 
[koo dey-tahz; Fr. koo dey-ta] . | a sudden and decisive action in politics, esp. one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force. |
| coup d'é·tat (kōō' dā-tä') n. pl. coups d'état (kōō') or coup d'états (dā-täz') The sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority. [French : coup, blow, stroke + de, of + état, state.] |
A quick and decisive seizure of governmental power by a strong military or political group. In contrast to a revolution, a coup d'état, or coup, does not involve a mass uprising. Rather, in the typical coup, a small group of politicians or generals arrests the incumbent leaders, seizes the national radio and television services, and proclaims itself in power. Coup d'état is French for “stroke of the state” or “blow to the government.”
