coffering

[kaw-fer, kof-er]

Origin

noun

a box or chest, especially one for valuables.

coffers, a treasury; funds: The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.

any of various boxlike enclosures, as a cofferdam.

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)

to deposit or lay up in or as in a coffer or chest.

to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.

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Coffering is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English cofre < Old French ≪ Latin cophinus basket; see coffin

Related forms

cof·fer·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

coffer

mid-13c., from O.Fr. cofre "a chest," from L. cophinus "basket" (see coffin).

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