quoin (redirected from quoins)

quoin

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.

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quoin, coign, coigne

1. an external corner of a wall

2. a stone forming the external corner of a wall

3. another name for keystone

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quoin [kȯin]

(building construction)

One of the members forming an outside corner or exterior angle of a building, and differentiated from the wall by color, texture, size, or projection.

(graphic arts)

An expandable device used to secure type and printing plates in a chase.