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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of copestone

First recorded in 1560–70; cope ² + stone

Example Sentences

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

Its oppression seemed congenial to George; he sat upon the copestone of the stone parapet, his back against a stone pilaster; his attitude not comfortable, but rigid, and his silence not comfortable, either, but heavy.

From The Magnificent Ambersons by Tarkington, Booth

The horrid shrieks of the Chouette served to place the copestone on the fury of the Schoolmaster.

From The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 4 of 6 by Sue, Eugène

They advanced, all three, to the wall; Capper stooped, and Dick, getting upon his shoulders, clambered on to the copestone.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 8 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

A sailor agreed to do it, and ascended in the way I have told you, until he came to the copestone, when, to show what he could do, he stood on his head.

From Harper's Young People, August 3, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various