Definitions for: Quoin

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

Webster (1913) Definition: Quoin, n. [See Coin, and cf. Coigne.]
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.

Note: 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.

Synonyms: coign, coigne, corner

See Also: building, construction, edifice, headstone, keystone, structure, wedge

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