[a. F. coignier (3 sing. coigne) ‘to put in a corner’ (Godef.), ‘to wedge, to fasten with a wedge, to drive hard or knock fast in, as with a wedge’ (Cotgr.). Etymologically, the same word as prec. (the primary sense of both being ‘to wedge, to strike’), but not consciously connected with it in Eng. Now usually written QUOIN.]
† 1. trans. a. To furnish with ‘coins or quoins, i.e., wedges. b. To drive in as a wedge. c. To raise or lower with a quoin. Obs.
c. 1488. Liber Niger Edw. IV., in Househ. Ord. (1790), 74. All other crafte for the rackinge, coynynge, rebatinge, and other salvation of wynes.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Coigner, to coyne in, to drive in.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, V. iv. 137. Coynes for the breech of euery peece, to coyne it vp or downe.
2. To provide with quoins or corner-stones.
1700–10. Celia Fiennes, Diary (1888), 67. Adorned with brick pillars Coyn’d wth stone and Stone heads.
1839. Stonehouse, Axholme, 254. The original building was of brick, coyned with great ashlar stones.
Coin, coine (Irish Hist.): see COYNIE.
