copestone

American  

[kohp-stohn] / ˈkoʊpˌstoʊn /

noun

1. the top stone of a building or other structure.

2. a stone used for or in coping.

3. the crown or completion; finishing touch.

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copestone British  

/ ˈkəʊpˌstəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: coping stone.  a stone used to form a coping

2. Also called: capstone.  the stone at the top of a building, wall, etc

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Etymology

Origin of copestone

First recorded in 1560–70; cope ² + stone

Example Sentences

The copestone is finished—our labor is o'er, The sound of the gavel shall hail us no more.

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

These are of various forms, but they are mostly tripods, consisting of a copestone poised upon three other stones, two at the head and one at the foot.

From Roman Mosaics Or, Studies in Rome and Its Neighbourhood by Macmillan, Hugh

Winston was circling the first grapple above his head, intended for the copestone along the top of the breastwork, when he heard a quiet Portuguese whisper at his ear.

From Caribbee by Hoover, Thomas

M. E. M.—"Brother Senior Warden, assemble the brethren, and form a procession, for the purpose of celebrating the copestone."

From The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master's Lodge by Morgan, William

Abruptly he swung his feet down from the copestone to the floor of the veranda.

From The Magnificent Ambersons by Tarkington, Booth