quoin

¹quoin

noun \ˈkȯin, ˈkwȯin\

Definition of QUOIN

1

a : a solid exterior angle (as of a building)

b : one of the members (as a block) forming a quoin and usually differentiated from the adjoining walls by material, texture, color, size, or projection

2

: the keystone or a voussoir of an arch

3

: a wooden or expandable metal block used by printers to lock up a form within a chase

Illustration of QUOIN

Origin of QUOIN

alteration of ¹coin

First Known Use: 1532

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with QUOIN

coin, foin, groin, groyne, join, loin

²quoin

transitive verb

Definition of QUOIN

1

: to equip (a type form) with quoins

2

: to provide with quoins <quoined walls>

First Known Use of QUOIN

1683

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

quoin

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In architecture, both the external corner of a building and, more often, one of the stones used to form that corner. These stones are both structural and decorative in that they often differ in jointing, colour, texture, or size from the masonry of the adjoining walls. Usually quoins are toothed (i.e., set in short courses in a regular pattern of alternating lengths). Such construction dates back to ancient Rome.