All 5 Uses of
coup
in
Les Miserables
- M. de Vaublanc, the reformer of the Institute by a coup d'etat, the distinguished author of numerous academicians, ordinances, and batches of members, after having created them, could not succeed in becoming one himself.†
Chpt 1.3 *coup d'etat = the sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited force
- He effects a coup d'etat because he, God, has not been able to make both ends meet.†
Chpt 4.12
- The incubation of insurrections gives the retort to the premeditation of coups d'etat.†
Chpt 3.4
- Vieux bon peuple, a coups de bequilles, Cassons ce Louvre ou s'etala La monarchie en falbala.†
Chpt 4.15
- The exasperations of this crowd which suffers and bleeds, its violences contrary to all sense, directed against the principles which are its life, its masterful deeds against the right, are its popular coups d'etat and should be repressed.†
Chpt 5.1
Definitions:
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(1)
(coup as in: deposed in the coup) the sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited forceThis sense of coup is also called a coup d'état.
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(2)
(coup as in: a financial coup) a brilliant and notable successThe term "coup de theatre" indicates a sensational moment in a theatrical stagecraft -- typically a surprise; or possibly a highly successful theatrical production.
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(3)
(coup de grace as in: delivered the coup de grace) deathblow
(literally a sword strike that mercifully kills a wounded animal, or metaphorically as the last in a series of things that defeated an opponent, idea, business or other entity.)The term coup de grace indicates a merciful death blow. - (4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)