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Coup

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a sudden seizure of power; a notable success

Where does the word "coup" come from? It comes from Greek kolaphos, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1640s).

kolaphos→colpus→coup→coup

Greek · ancient

a punch or blow

Latin · ancient

a blow, borrowed from Greek

French · medieval

a blow; 'coup d'état', stroke of state, became famous with Napoleon's seizure of power in 1799

English · 1640s

"seizure of power"

'coup d'état' is often shortened to 'coup'

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Coup’s story begins in Greek: kolaphos meant “blow.” A punch or blow. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as colpus. A blow, borrowed from Greek. From there it passed into French as coup by medieval. A blow; 'coup d'état', stroke of state, became famous with Napoleon's seizure of power in 1799. It reached English by 1640s as coup. 'coup d'état' is often shortened to 'coup'. Today, coup means a sudden seizure of power; a notable success.