copestone

American  

[kohp-stohn] / ˈkoʊpˌstoʊn /

noun

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

2. a stone used for or in coping. cope. 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

He might have been a carven copestone of the very granite fang he sat upon, for all the appearance of life he gave, except that occasionally—say at fifteen-minute intervals—he winked a yellow-lidded wink.

From The Way of the Wild by Rountree, Harry

Under this copestone there was a vacant space, varying in size from a foot or two to the height of a man on horseback.

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

The copestone of our nation’s he, In him our weal, our all we see; Though calm he looks his plans when breeding, Yet oaks he’d break his clans when leading.

From Wild Wales: Its People, Language and Scenery by Borrow, George Henry

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

On opening the little door, two hairy monsters flew at my throat, bearing me down, and extinguishing the light; while a mingled guffaw from Heathcliff and Hareton put the copestone on my rage and humiliation. 

From Wuthering Heights by Brontë, Emily