coup

[Bailey]

coup(k)
n. pl. coups (kz)
1. A brilliantly executed stratagem; a triumph.
2.
a. A coup d'état.
b. A sudden appropriation of leadership or power; a takeover: a boardroom coup.
3. Among certain Native American peoples, a feat of bravery performed in battle, especially the touching of an enemy's body without causing injury.
Idiom:
count coup
Among certain Native American peoples, to ceremoniously recount one's exploits in battle.



[French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

I'm reading Mirror Image by Tom Clancy. I know I picked up two extra letters, yet it still qualifies as a short word.

mark a-chimp-of-very-little-brane Bailey

[gailr]

3. Among certain Native American peoples, a feat of bravery performed in battle, especially the touching of an enemy's body without causing injury.

[French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.]

We use another 'touch' word from the French: touché.

INTERJECTION: Used to acknowledge a hit in fencing or a successful criticism or an effective point in argument.

ETYMOLOGY: French, from past participle of toucher, to hit or wound in fencing, from Old French touchier, to touch. See touch.

American Heritage Dictionary

-gailr
A hit, a very palpable hit.

[Bailey]

Ah Gailr you are counting coup today.

mark touché Bailey