Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A sudden dramatic turn of events in a play.
- noun An unexpected and sensational event, especially one that reverses or negates a prevailing situation.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A sudden or unexpected event in a play, pulled off by the author, the director, or even an actor.
- noun A theatrical trick or gesture, something staged for dramatic effect.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[French : coup, stroke + de, of + théâtre, theater.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From French: coup de théâtre
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Examples
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whichbe commented on the word coup de théâtre
1. a sudden dramatic turn of events in a play.
2. an unexpected and sensational event, especially one that reverses or negates a prevailing situation. (from WordCraft)
May 20, 2008