DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Quoin n.
 1. Arch. Originally, a solid exterior angle, as of a building; now, commonly, one of the selected pieces of material by which the corner is marked.
 Note: ☞ In stone, the quoins consist of blocks larger than those used in the rest of the building, and cut to dimension. In brickwork, quoins consist of groups or masses of brick laid together, and in a certain imitation of quoins of stone.
 2. A wedgelike piece of stone, wood, metal, or other material, used for various purposes; as: (a) Masonry To support and steady a stone. (b) Gun. To support the breech of a cannon. (c) Print. To wedge or lock up a form within a chase. (d) Naut. To prevent casks from rolling.
 Hollow quoin. See under Hollow.
 Quoin post Canals, the post of a lock gate which abuts against the wall.
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 Hol·low a.
 1. Having an empty space or cavity, natural or artificial, within a solid substance; not solid; excavated in the interior; as, a hollow tree; a hollow sphere.
    Hollow with boards shalt thou make it.   --Ex. xxvii. 8.
 2. Depressed; concave; gaunt; sunken.
    With hollow eye and wrinkled brow.   --Shak.
 3. Reverberated from a cavity, or resembling such a sound; deep; muffled; as, a hollow roar.
 4. Not sincere or faithful; false; deceitful; not sound; as, a hollow heart; a hollow friend.
 Hollow newel Arch., an opening in the center of a winding staircase in place of a newel post, the stairs being supported by the wall; an open newel; also, the stringpiece or rail winding around the well of such a staircase.
 Hollow quoin Engin., a pier of stone or brick made behind the lock gates of a canal, and containing a hollow or recess to receive the ends of the gates.
 Hollow root. Bot. See Moschatel.
 Hollow square. See Square.
 Hollow ware, hollow vessels; -- a trade name for cast-iron kitchen utensils, earthenware, etc.
 Syn:- Concave; sunken; low; vacant; empty; void; false; faithless; deceitful; treacherous.