quoin

== English == === Etymology === Variant of coin; compare coign. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /k(w)ɔɪn/ Homophones: coin, coign Rhymes: -ɔɪn === Noun === quoin (plural quoins) Any of the corner building blocks of a building, usually larger or more ornate than the surrounding blocks. The keystone of an arch. (printing, historical) 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. (firearms) A wedge of wood or iron put under the breech of heavy guns or the muzzle of siege-mortars to raise them to the proper level. (horticulture) A number of apple varieties with a distinctive ribbed appearance, like corners of a coin. ==== Synonyms ==== (corner block of a building): cornerstone ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === quoin (third-person singular simple present quoins, present participle quoining, simple past and past participle quoined) (transitive) To wedge or steady with quoins. ==== Derived terms ====