coign — archaic spelling of QUOIN (Cf. quoin) (q.v.), surviving only in Shakespeare s coign of vantage ( Macbeth I.vi.), popularized by Sir Walter Scott, properly a projecting corner (for observation) … Etymology dictionary
coign — noun /kɔɪn/ a) A projecting corner or angle. , 1922, Kind air defined the coigns of houses in Kildare street. James Joyce, Ulysses b) A wedge used in typesetting , 1936, this snug monastic coign, this dreamy and heatless alcove of what we call… … Wiktionary
coign — [kɔɪn] noun a projecting corner or angle of a wall. Phrases coign of vantage literary a favourable position for observation or action. Origin ME: var. of coin … English new terms dictionary
coign — /kɔɪn/ (say koyn) noun Also, coigne. 1. → quoin. –phrase 2. coign of vantage, a good place from which to observe events. {variant of coin (def. 3) …
coign — n. Phrases and idioms: coign of vantage a favourable position for observation or action. Etymology: earlier spelling of COIN in the sense cornerstone … Useful english dictionary
coign of vantage — [koin] n. [coign, archaic var. of coin(QUOIN)] an advantageous position for observation or action … English World dictionary
coign of vantage — coign′ of van′tage [[t]kɔɪn[/t]] n. a favorable position • Etymology: 1595–1605 … From formal English to slang
coign of vantage — a position advantageous for action or observation from the coign of vantage which the present age affords … we will … retell the history of Christianity K.S.Latourette * * * a good position for observation, judgment, criticism, action, etc. [1595 … Useful english dictionary
coign of vantage — Etymology: coign, earlier spelling of 1coin (corner) Date: 1605 an advantageous position … New Collegiate Dictionary
coign of vantage — literary a favourable position for observation or action. → coign … English new terms dictionary
