coup /ko̅o̅/ [Fr, blow] , 1. any blow or stroke or the effects of such a blow to the body, usually used with a French word identifying a type of stroke. 2. a wound resembling a sword cut. Also called En Coup de Sabre. 3. also called coup de soleil. See also sunstroke. 4. administration of a drug in small amounts over a short period rather than in a single larger dose. Also called coup sur coup. 5. an injury most often associated with a blow to the skull in which the force of the impact is transmitted through the skull bones to the opposite side of the head, where the bruise, fracture, or other sign of injury appears. Also called contrecoup.
