quoin Hear it!

quoin Definition

quoin (ko̵in, kwo̵in)

noun

  1. the external corner of a building; esp., any of the large, squared stones by which the corner of a building is marked
  2. a wedgelike piece of stone, etc., such as the keystone or one of the pieces of an arch
  3. a wedge-shaped wooden or metal block used to lock up type in a galley or form, to keep casks from rolling, etc.

Etymology: var. of coin

transitive verb

  1. to secure with a quoin
  2. to furnish with quoins, or corners

quoin Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • rusticate: At the corners of the building are rusticated quoins.
  • dress: Fabric ' A ' , with dressed stone quoins.
  • have: North east angle of nave has big rough quoins in its lower section.

Preposition: at

  • angle: Stone quoins at the northwest angle suggest this part of the north aisle is a more recent addition.
  • corner: Assuming they existed, the quoins at the former northwest corner are hidden by the diagonal buttress of the tower.

Adjective modifier

  • red: South wall: in Fabric A; massive red sandstone quoins for southwest angle.
  • large: Adjoins west wall of the porch; in fabric ' A ' with large stone quoins.
  • original: West wall: constructed mainly in fabric ' A ' with double plinth at the base; some original quoins, some replaced.
  • gray: Tower appears to be in Fabric ' B ' with gray quoins.
  • yellow: Yellow brick quoins on angles, blue and yellow brick bands.
  • massive: South wall: in Fabric A; massive red sandstone quoins for southwest angle.

Modifies a noun

  • stone: Some of the quoin stones from the northeast corner may have been re-used for rebuilding the wall just below the eaves line.

Noun used with modifier

  • ashlar: North wall: Fabric A, with more modern masonry at higher level, and more uniform ashlar quoins also.
  • sandstone: Red sandstone quoins define the original chancel, at its juncture with the present nave.
  • brick: Fabrics: ' A ' consists of red brick, in English garden wall bond with brick quoins.
  • stone: Fabric ' A ' , with dressed stone quoins.
  • limestone: Features to look out for: The tower is built of rubble with wrought granite and carboniferous limestone quoins and some similar limestone dressings.
  • angle: Rough cast render presumably over brick with plinth and angle quoins.

Preposition: in

  • sandstone: West wall: in fabric ' G ' , with large quoins in light-grey sandstone.

Preposition: of

  • sandstone: In ' A ' , with quoins of yellow sandstone at lower levels and of limestone higher up the tower.

Browse dictionary entries near quoin

  1. quohog
  2. quodlibet
  3. quod
  4. quo warranto
  5. quo modo
  6. quo jure?
  7. Qumran
  8. Qum
  9. quizzical
  10. quizmaster
  1. quoit
  2. quokka
  3. quondam
  4. Quonset hut
  5. quorum
  6. quot
  7. quota
  8. quotable
  9. quotation
  10. quotation mark