quoin

American  

[koin, kwoin] / kɔɪn, kwɔɪn /

Also coign,

noun

1. an external solid angle of a wall or the like.

2. one of the stones forming it; cornerstone.

3. any of various bricks of standard shape for forming corners of brick walls or the like.

4. a wedge-shaped piece of wood, stone, or other material, used for any of various purposes.

5. Printing. a wedge of wood or metal for securing type in a chase.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with quoins, as a corner of a wall.

2. to secure or raise with a quoin or wedge.

quoin British  

/ kwɔɪn, kɔɪn /

noun

1. an external corner of a wall

2. Also called: cornerstone.  a stone forming the external corner of a wall

3. another name for keystone

4. printing a metal or wooden wedge or an expanding mechanical device used to lock type up in a chase

5. a wedge used for any of various other purposes, such as (formerly) to adjust elevation in muzzle-loading cannon

---

Etymology

Origin of quoin

First recorded in 1525–35; variant of coin

Explanation

A quoin is an angle at the outside corner of a building. You can call the corner itself a quoin, or use the word for the special stones or bricks that reinforce corners of brick or stone buildings. You're most likely to come across the word quoin in a discussion of architecture, since it's a term that has to do with either the aesthetics or strength of a building. Some quoins are decorative features, providing variety and pattern to the corner where two exterior walls meet. Others have an important structural job, strengthening buildings by reinforcing the corners. Quoin was originally an alternative way to spell coin, and was used to mean "cornerstone" or "wedge."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

quoin

This quoin, being graduated to whole degrees, requires a small additional quoin for slight differences of elevation in smooth water.

From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance

A sentinel started out from the quoin of a wall to stop us, but when we had told our errand he became as friendly as a brother.

From Helmet of Navarre by Bertha Runkle

Care must be taken that the stop on the quoin is always properly lodged, to prevent the quoin from flying out or changing its position, and that the bed is secured to the bed-bolt.

From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance

If one quoin was not enough to secure proper depression, a block or a second quoin was placed below the first.

From Artillery Through the Ages A Short Illustrated History of Cannon, Emphasizing Types Used in America by Albert Manucy

Back's Inlet presents on each side a succession of lofty precipitous headlands, which have the shape termed, by seamen, "the gunner's quoin."

From Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea by John Franklin