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golpe

coup

noun GOL-peh Rare
People & Society Politics

Origin: Borrowed from Spanish golpe de estado (blow of state).

Usage Note

Golpe is a loanword from Spanish, invariable in Italian — it does not form a regular Italian plural; i golpe is used. It specifically refers to a military or political coup d'état (golpe militare). In informal speech Italians sometimes use it for any sudden takeover, but it remains primarily a political/journalistic term.

Examples

"Il golpe fu organizzato dai militari."

Natural Translation

The coup was organized by the military.

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