Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Coin?

\Coin\ (koin), n. [F. coin, formerly also coing, wedge, stamp, corner, fr. L. cuneus wedge; prob. akin to E. cone, hone. See {Hone}, n., and cf. {Coigne}, {Quoin}, {Cuneiform}.] 1. A quoin; a corner or external angle; a wedge. See {Coigne}, and {Quoin}. 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. {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. [Colloq.]
\Coin\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coined} (koind); p. pr. & vb. n. {Coining}.] 1. To make of a definite fineness, and convert into coins, as a mass of metal; to mint; to manufacture; as, to coin silver dollars; to coin a medal. 2. To make or fabricate; to invent; to originate; as, to coin a word. Some tale, some new pretense, he daily coined, To soothe his sister and delude her mind. --Dryden. 3. To acquire rapidly, as money; to make. Tenants cannot coin rent just at quarter day. --Locke.
\Coin\, v. i. To manufacture counterfeit money. They cannot touch me for coining. --Shak.