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.

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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

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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

In great-gun exercise, the order which prepares for adjusting the quoin.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher

First give the elevation by applying the quadrant to the face of the piece, and adjusting the quoin or ratchet until the required number of degrees is obtained.

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

The level mark on the quoin is to correspond with the end of the bed.

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

I should have liked to see you when you were making for the side all top-heavy, and went flying over after the great quoin as you called it.

From Fitz the Filibuster by Harold Piffard

As soon as the quoin is free, the 2d Captain takes hold of it with both hands and withdraws the quoin to the full extent; handspikemen "raise" or "lower" the gun slowly and steadily.

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