Quoin

[kwɒin]

Definition

(noun.) the keystone of an arch.

(noun.) expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to lock up a form within a chase.

Typist: Ollie--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of material by which the corner is marked.

(n.) A wedgelike piece of stone, wood metal, or other material, used for various purposes

(n.) to support and steady a stone.

(n.) To support the breech of a cannon.

(n.) To wedge or lock up a form within a chase.

(n.) To prevent casks from rolling.

Editor: Sonya

Definition

n. (archit.) a wedge used to support and steady a stone: an external angle esp. of a building: (gun.) 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: (print.) a wedge used to fasten the types in the forms.—v.t. to wedge or steady with quoins.

Editor: Ramon