|kü(ˌ)dā|tä, -tȧ also -üdə|- noun
( plural coups d'etat “ ; also coup d'etats -äz, -ȧz)
Etymology: French coup d'état, literally, stroke of state
1. : a sudden decisive exercise of localized or concentrated force unseating the personnel of a goverment
2. : a coup violently and unexpectedly reformulating state policy : an unexpected or sudden measure of state often involving force or threat of force