quoin

[ koin, kwoin ]

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

/ kwɔɪn; kɔɪn /

noun

1. an external corner of a wall
2. Also calledcornerstone 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of quoin¹

First recorded in 1525–35; variant of coin

Word History and Origins

Origin of quoin¹

C16: variant of coin (corner)

Example Sentences

It appears as exposed quoins on the corners of painted facades.

From New York Times

Easy to carve and freely split in any direction without shattering, the stone was commonly used throughout Virginia for pediments, quoins and other decorative details in 18th-century houses and churches.

From Washington Post

In the corner quoins, in the top frieze, in the transition piece and in the addition, original bricks, found bricks and re-created bricks coexist, seamlessly.

From Seattle Times

The columns and quoins that frame the entrance are a muted mix of brown and various shades of dull gray.

From Washington Times

Even the quoins, or corner blocks, intended to resemble stone, were painted.

From Washington Times