coign: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Archaic, Technical (architecture)
Quick answer
What does “coign” mean?
A projecting corner or angle, especially of a building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A projecting corner or angle, especially of a building; a cornerstone.
A strategic or advantageous position from which to observe or act; a vantage point. This meaning originates from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' ("coign of vantage").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Literary, poetic, erudite. Carries a Shakespearean resonance.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary contexts due to the prominence of Shakespeare in the UK canon.
Grammar
How to Use “coign” in a Sentence
[coign] of [vantage/stone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, used in literary criticism or architectural history.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
In architecture, a historical term for a cornerstone or exterior angle of a building (often spelled 'quoin').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coign”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coign”
- Misspelling as 'coin'.
- Using it outside the phrase 'coign of vantage'.
- Pronouncing it like 'coin' (/kɔɪn/ is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in its architectural sense. 'Quoin' is the more common modern spelling for the stone at the corner of a building. 'Coign' is the older, literary variant.
No, it would sound highly affected and archaic. Use 'vantage point' or simply 'corner' instead.
It is exclusively a noun.
Primarily due to its appearance in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' (Act I, Scene VI), which ensures its place in the literary lexicon and historical dictionaries.
A projecting corner or angle, especially of a building.
Coign is usually literary, archaic, technical (architecture) in register.
Coign: in British English it is pronounced /kɔɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “coign of vantage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COrner' + 'sIGN' = a projecting corner that is a SIGN of good vantage.
Conceptual Metaphor
A POSITION IS A PHYSICAL CORNER (e.g., a coign of vantage).
Practice
Quiz
In which famous play does the phrase 'coign of vantage' originate?