Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A quick survey; a glance.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A glimpse, a glance; the ability, especially of a military officer, to understand much at a glance.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a quick look

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French coup d'œil : coup, stroke + de, of + œil, eye.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

French coup d'œil ("stroke of the eye").

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Examples

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Comments

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  • Quick survey; a glance (literally, stroke of the eye). (from WordCraft)

    May 20, 2008

  • not to be confused with the trompe l'oeil, or (s)trumpet

    May 20, 2008