Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Quoin
1.
(Arch.)
Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of material by which the corner is marked.
☞ In stone, the quoins consist of blocks larger than those used in the rest of the building, and cut to dimension. In brickwork, quoins consist of groups or masses of brick laid together, and in a certain imitation of quoins of stone.
2.
A wedgelike piece of stone, wood, metal, or other material, used for various purposes;
as:
(a)
(Masonry)
To support and steady a stone.
(b)
(Gun.)
To support the breech of a cannon.
(c)
(Print.)
To wedge or lock up a form within a chase.
(d)
(Naut.)
To prevent casks from rolling.
Hollow quoin
. See under
– Hollow
. Quoin post
(Canals)
, the post of a lock gate which abuts against the wall.
Webster 1828 Edition
Quoin
QUOIN
,Noun.
1.
A corner.2.
An instrument to raise any thing; a wedge employed to raise cannon to a proper level, and for other purposes.3.
In architecture, the corner of a brick or stone wall.Definition 2024
quoin
quoin
English
Noun
quoin (plural quoins)
- Any of the corner building blocks of a building, usually larger or more ornate than the surrounding blocks.
- Thomas Hardy
- In Casterbridge there stood a noble pile, […]
But evil days beset that domicile;
The stately beauties of its roof and wall
Passed into sordid hands. Condemned to fall
Were cornice, quoin, and cove,
And all that art had wove in antique style.
- In Casterbridge there stood a noble pile, […]
- Thomas Hardy
- The keystone of an arch.
- A metal wedge which fits into the space between the type and the edge of a chase, and is tightened to fix the metal type in place.
- (obsolete, nautical) A form of wedge used to prevent casks from moving
Synonyms
- (corner block of a building): cornerstone