coup

the word "coup" entered english in the late 18th century directly from french, where "coup" means a blow, stroke, or a successful move. the french term itself derives from the late latin word "colpus," a variant of the latin "colaphus," meaning a blow with the fist, which was borrowed from the greek "kólaphos." the semantic journey from a physical blow to a sudden, decisive political action is clear. the extended meaning of a notable success, as in a "coup" in business or diplomacy, developed from the idea of a masterstroke or a brilliantly executed move.

this word is a loanword from french, adopted as a simplex unit into english.