coup de grace

English - English

Definition of coup de grace in English English dictionary

A final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal

A coup de grace is an action or event which finally destroys something, for example an institution, which has been gradually growing weaker. Irving Kristol delivered the coup de grace in a letter dated June 12: they had decided to reject the proposal. = death blow

the blow that kills (usually mercifully)

merciful strike intended to end one's suffering; deathblow intended to end one who is mortally wounded; conclusive finishing act, decisive ending blow

(Pronounced "koo day GRAH ") A miscellaneous, full-round action that allows an attacker to attempt a killing blow against a helpless opponent A coup de grace can be administered with a melee weapon if no more than a 5-foot step is required to do so, or with a bow or crossbow if the attacker is adjacent to the opponent An attacker delivering a coup de grace automatically scores a critical hit, after which the defender must make a successful Fortitude save (DC 10+damage inflicted) or die Rogues also gain their extra sneak attack damage for this attack Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity from threatening foes A coup de grace is not possible against a creature immune to critical hits

Turkish pronunciation

ku dı greys

Synonyms

blow, clincher, comeuppance, deathblow, defeat, final blow, final stroke, kill, knockout, mercy stroke, mortal blow, quietus

Pronunciation

/ˈko͞o də ˈgrās/ /ˈkuː də ˈɡreɪs/

Etymology

[ 'kOp ] (verb.) circa 1572. Late 17th century, from French coup de grâce (“stroke of grace”). Originally referring to a merciful stroke putting a fatally wounded person out of misery or to the shot delivered to the head of a prisoner after facing a firing squad.