To pay one in his own coin
(gcide) | 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.
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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.
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It is alleged that it [a subsidy] exceeded all the
current coin of the realm. --Hallam.
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3. That which serves for payment or recompense.
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The loss of present advantage to flesh and blood is
repaid in a nobler coin. --Hammond.
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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.]
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