Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: French
Origin: 'stroke of mercy'

coup de grâce

 noun
     
coup de grâce [singular]
1 an action or event that ends or destroys something that has gradually been getting weaker
2 a hit or shot that kills someone or something
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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