from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Coign \Coign\ (koin), n.
A var. spelling of {Coin}, {Quoin}, a corner, wedge; --
chiefly used in the phrase coign of vantage, a position
advantageous for action or observation.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
From some shielded nook or coign of vantage. --The
Century.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
The lithosphere would be depressed on four faces; . . .
the four projecting coigns would stand up as
continents. --Nature.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. an expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to
lock up a form within a chase.
Syn: quoin, coigne.
[WordNet 1.5]
3. the keystone of an arch.
Syn: quoin, coigne.
[WordNet 1.5]