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.]
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Coin, v. i.
To manufacture counterfeit money.
They cannot touch me for coining.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.