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.
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.]