Slim Gaillard wrote:

I'm doing some 2-D drafting of machine parts with AutoCAD, and have a
question about sectional views. In France, and maybe other
countries, one distinguishes between a "coupe" (cut) view and a
"section" view.

A "section" is what you would get if you physically cut the part
along the cutting plane, inked the cut surface, and pressed it
against a piece of paper. In this view, you don't see the object
features that are behind the cutting plane.

A "coupe" is like the cross-sectional views I learned to make (in the
U.S.), where one does see the object features behind the cutting
plane.

Is there an equivalent to the French "section" in U.S. drawing
practice? what is it called?

If I understand you correctly, it's just a
matter of turning hidden lines on or off,
at least with my CAD software.