2. Among some tribes of North American Indians, 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.
Woe to the Sioux if the Northern Cheyennes get a chance
to coup ! --F.
Remington.
{Coup de grace} (k??" de gr?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??` de m?n`) [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and
unexpected movement or attack.
{Coup de soleil} (k??` d s?-l?l or -l?"y') [F.] (Med.), a
sunstroke. See {Sunstroke}.
{Coup d'['e]tat} (k??" d?-t?") [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.