coign

C2 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /kɔɪn/ UK /kɔɪn/ See IPA manual

Homophones

Freq #318516

Meanings

1

noun
archaic spelling of quoin: an external corner or projecting angle of a wall, especially one emphasized with contrasting masonry

Pale stone blocks marked each coign of the brick facade.
2

noun
a wedge or expanding device used to lock type securely in a printer's chase

The printer tightened the coign before lifting the locked forme.
3

noun
rare: the keystone of an arch

The carved coign held the central stones of the arch in place.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · archaic spelling of quoin:... quoin cornerstoneprojecting corner

2 noun · a wedge or expanding device... quoinprinter's wedge

3 noun · rare: the keystone of an arch keystone

Word family

Forms coigns

Related forms corner masonry arch printing

Etymology

A historical spelling of quoin, from Old French coin, 'corner or wedge,' ultimately from Latin cuneus, 'wedge.' The shape links its architectural senses with the printer's expanding wedge. Shakespeare's phrase 'coign of vantage' helped preserve the archaic spelling.

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction

External links

# coign

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /kɔɪn/
**IPA (UK):** /kɔɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 318516

## Meanings
1. archaic spelling of quoin: an external corner or projecting angle of a wall, especially one emphasized with contrasting masonry
2. a wedge or expanding device used to lock type securely in a printer's chase
3. rare: the keystone of an arch

## Examples
- Pale stone blocks marked each coign of the brick facade.
- The printer tightened the coign before lifting the locked forme.
- The carved coign held the central stones of the arch in place.

## Synonyms
- quoin
- cornerstone
- printer's wedge
- keystone

## Related Forms
- corner
- masonry
- arch
- printing

## Etymology
A historical spelling of quoin, from Old French coin, 'corner or wedge,' ultimately from Latin cuneus, 'wedge.' The shape links its architectural senses with the printer's expanding wedge. Shakespeare's phrase 'coign of vantage' helped preserve the archaic spelling.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction

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