dict - phrase challenged

[Zenaan Harkness <zen@freedbms.net>]

Anyone know why my giyf searches and man page readings are failing to
determine how to search the gnu/linux dictionaries for a phrase?

I am not only phrase challenged, but simple search challenged it seems too :)

For example "coup d'etat" appears in the definition for "coup", as a
sub-definition.

The OED has various phrases, not just single words. I used to have
good examples of two word phrases which are primary dictionary
entries.

NOTE: hyphenated phrases do work as expected eg:
dict helter-skelter

Some non-hyphenated phrases from dictionary dot com's word of the day:
coup d'etat
lese majesty
ad rem

TIA
Zenaan