Coup d'oeil

Coup d'œil (or coup d'oeil) is a term taken from French, that more or less corresponds to the words glimpse or glance in English. The literal meaning is "stroke of [the] eye".

It is mostly used in a military context, where the coup d'œil refers to the ability to discern at one glance the tactical (dis)advantages of the terrain. For example, the famous king Frederick the Great of Prussia in his 1753 "Particular Instructions" devotes special attention to the military coup d'œil, defining it as:

"[T]he perfection of that art to learn at one just and determined view the benefits and disadvantages of a country where posts are to be placed and how to act upon the annoyance of the enemy."

The coup d'œil remains important for officers in modern armies for the positioning of infantry, tanks, artillery etc. It is also important for snipers and when operating weapons like anti-tank weapons, in order to find good concealment, cover and a good field of fire.