casket

[ kas-kit, kah-skit ]

noun

1. a coffin.
2. a small chest or box, as for jewels.

verb (used with object)

1. to put or enclose in a casket.

casket

/ ˈkɑːskɪt /

noun

1. a small box or chest for valuables, esp jewels
2. See coffin
   another name for coffin

Other Words From

• casket·like adjective
• un·casket·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of casket¹

1425–75; late Middle English < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of casket¹

C15: probably from Old French cassette little box; see case ²

Example Sentences

The dead body in the casket didn’t really look like Grandma.

From Freakonomics

Being able to view an open casket and being present at the burial site with loved ones helped with closure, strengthening her appreciation of the comfort we may derive from mourning rituals.

From Washington Post

Hundreds of mourners filed by the shiny casket, and when Young’s mother approached for a last look, she collapsed in tears on her son’s chest.

From ProPublica

The contents are known to include a host of Confederate-related memorabilia — and, just possibly, a rare image of President Abraham Lincoln in his casket — but Northam’s office plans to remove it early next year.

From Washington Post

When he died in 1862, he became the only president in history to be buried in a casket covered by the flag of another country — the Confederate States of America.

From Washington Post

When it became too crowded, they moved her into an open casket on the street.

From The Daily Beast

Sitting in chairs staring at the casket are friends, family, and… Kevin Spacey?

From The Daily Beast

It was better that he did not look at the casket and grave of John Fitzgerald Kennedy too often.

From The Daily Beast

When she came up to the grave at the cemetery, the casket already was in place.

From The Daily Beast

A 12-year-old boy who escaped the shooting with his mother introduced himself to Sullivan at the casket viewing.

From The Daily Beast

Next from the large casket Mrs. Sin took another smaller casket and a very long, tapering silver bodkin.

From Project Gutenberg

When Big Sid looked at you that way, a guy felt he was being measured for a casket.

From Project Gutenberg

She surprised him at the moment when he was forcing open a casket, and struck him a blow with her riding whip.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall starve to death—like Croton water-bugs caught in a diamond casket, said Flick, who had a taste for poetical flights.

From Project Gutenberg

In that box will be found the bars of silver and a casket containing the eight hundred and sixty gold pieces.

From Project Gutenberg