6 results for: coffer Browse Nearby Entries
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
cof·fer    Audio Help   [kaw-fer, kof-er] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.a box or chest, esp. one for valuables.
2.coffers, a treasury; funds: The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.
3.any of various boxlike enclosures, as a cofferdam.
4.Also called caisson, lacunar. Architecture. one of a number of sunken panels, usually square or octagonal, in a vault, ceiling, or soffit.
–verb (used with object)
5.to deposit or lay up in or as in a coffer or chest.
6.to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME cofre < OF ≪ L cophinus basket; see coffin]

cof·fer·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
coffer

To learn more about coffer visit Britannica.com

© 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cof·fer    Audio Help   (kô'fər, kŏf'ər)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A strongbox.
  2. often coffers
    1. Financial resources; funds.
    2. A treasury: stole money from the union coffers.
  3. Architecture A decorative sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, soffit, or vault.
  4. The chamber formed by a canal lock.
  5. A cofferdam.
  6. A floating dock.

tr.v.   cof·fered, cof·fer·ing, cof·fers
  1. To put in a coffer.
  2. Architecture To supply (a ceiling, for example) with decorative sunken panels.


[Middle English cofre, from Old French, alteration of *cofne, from Latin cophinus, basket; see coffin.]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
coffer 
c.1250, from O.Fr. cofre "a chest," from L. cophinus "basket" (see coffin).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
coffer

noun
1. an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome 
2. a chest especially for storing valuables 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Coffer

Cof"fer\ (?; 115), n. [OF. cofre, F. coffre, L. cophinus basket, fr. Gr. ?. Cf. Coffin, n.]

1. A casket, chest, or trunk; especially, one used for keeping money or other valuables. --Chaucer.

In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns. --Shak.

2. Fig.: Treasure or funds; -- usually in the plural.

He would discharge it without any burden to the queen's coffers, for honor sake. --Bacon.

Hold, here is half my coffer. --Shak.

3. (Arch.) A panel deeply recessed in the ceiling of a vault, dome, or portico; a caisson.

4. (Fort.) A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it by a raking fire.

5. The chamber of a canal lock; also, a caisson or a cofferdam.

Coffer dam. (Engin.) See Cofferdam, in the Vocabulary.

Coffer fish. (Zo["o]l.) See Cowfish.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Coffer

Cof"fer\, v. t. 1. To put into a coffer. --Bacon.

2. (Mining.) To secure from leaking, as a shaft, by ramming clay behind the masonry or timbering. --Raymond.

3. To form with or in a coffer or coffers; to furnish with a coffer or coffers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Browse Nearby Entries:

coffeehousing
coffeeklatch
coffeeklatsch
coffeemaker
coffeemaker's
coffeemakers
coffeemakers'
coffeeman
coffeepot
coffeepot's
coffeepots
coffeepots'
coffeeroom
coffees
coffees'
coffeetable book
coffer
coffer's
cofferdam
cofferdam's
cofferdams
cofferdams'
coffered
cofferer
coffering
cofferlike
coffers
coffers'
cofferwork
coffey still
coffeyville
coffin
coffin bone

View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | All Reference | the Web

Share This:   Share This: del.icio.usShare This: digg.comShare This: FacebookShare This: furl.netShare This: www.netscape.comShare This: myweb2.search.yahoo.comShare This: www.stumbleupon.comShare This: www.google.comShare This: www.technorati.comShare This: blinklist.comShare This: newsvine.comShare This: ma.gnolia.comShare This: reddit.comShare This: favorites.live.comShare This: tailrank.com

Perform a new search, or try your search for "coffer" at: