1. (crown·piece.) = CROWN 8 b; in modern use applied to the large silver coin of the value of five shillings.
1648. Venice Looking-glass, 10. He drew out an halfe crown peece.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 245, ¶ 2. A Crown-Piece with the Breeches.
1773. Wesley, Jrnl., 14 May. Holes larger than a crown-piece.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., iv. Such a trifling loan as a crown piece.
2. (crow·npiece.) A piece that forms the crown or top of anything.
1794. W. Felton, Carriages (1801), II. 137. The Head Stale or Crownpiece is a Strap on the top of the horses head.