Do you speak a little Latin when you say 'coign'?

'Coign' is a word borrowed from Latin 'cuneus'. The word entered the English language some time around 1605.

coign [(unknown)] [1605]

An advantageous position
Meaning: A projecting corner or cornerstone; also a strategic position.

Etymology: coign; earlier spelling of coin (corner).

Topics: Architecture:Elements.

Origin: From French to Latin to English.

note: A projecting corner or cornerstone is a variant of coin from Old French meaning 'wedge corner die' from Latin cuneus 'wedge'.

See 'coign' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Latin.

See more loan words from 1600s.