quoin

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to lock up a form within a chase
noun the keystone of an arch
noun (architecture) solid exterior angle of a building; especially one formed by a cornerstone

Variant of coin; compare coign.

*Quoin is not a Euclidean term. — Moby Dick; Or, The Whale, Herman Melville
The cut, with the extras that go with it, consists of one head with hair (front view), one bald head (front view), one head with hair (side view), one bald head (side view), one pair eyes (with glasses), one pair eyes (plain), one Roman nose, one Grecian nose, one turn-up nose, one set whiskers (full), one moustache, one pair side-whiskers, one chin, one set large ears, one set medium ears, one set small ears, one set shoulders, with collar and necktie for above, one monkey-wrench, one set quoins, one galley, one oil can, one screwdriver. — Remarks, Bill Nye

coign, coigne

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