A coup is a unit of coppice that is felled at one time, for example, a coppice rotation with a 6 year cycle may have 6 coupes which are felled in order so that there is a harvest of timber every year for the coppice worker to market
When there is a coup, a group of people seize power in a country. a military coup They were sentenced to death for their part in April's coup attempt. = coup d'état
A coup is an achievement which is thought to be especially good because it was very difficult. The sale is a big coup for the auction house. Brumaire Coup of 18-19 coup d'état Fructidor Coup of 18
"to count coup" From French "coup" = strike Common practice among Plains Indians Touching a living enemy with a coup stick or with the bare hand A warrior who "counted coup" and returned home safely was considered braver than someone who killed an enemy He was honored for this act, often with an eagle feather
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