01 n. A quoin; a corner or external angle; a wedge. See Coigne, and Quoin.
- 1.
-
2.
A piece of metal on which certain characters are stamped by government authority, making it legally current as money; -- much used in a collective sense.“It is alleged that it [a subsidy] exceeded all the current coin of the realm.” — Hallam.
-
3.
That which serves for payment or recompense.“The loss of present advantage to flesh and blood is repaid in a nobler coin.” — Hammond.
Phrases & compounds
Coin balance —
See Illust. of Balance.
To pay one in his own coin —
to return to one the same kind of injury or ill treatment as has been received from him.