coffer

[kaw-fer, kof-er]

noun

1. a box or chest, especially 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)

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

2. to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.

coffer

/ ˈkɒfə /

noun

1. a chest, esp for storing valuables

2. (usually plural) a store of money

3. Also called: caisson.  lacuna. an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, etc

4. a watertight box or chamber

5. 1. short for cofferdam

   2. a recessed panel in a concrete, metal, or timber soffit

verb

1. to store, as in a coffer

2. to decorate (a ceiling, dome, etc) with coffers

Other Word Forms

• cofferlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffer¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cofre, from Old French, ultimately from Latin cophinus “basket”; coffin

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffer¹

C13: from Old French coffre, from Latin cophinus basket, from Greek kophinos

Example Sentences

Demand for the worm-like creatures with dots for eyes comes largely from Asia and is filling the coffers of the criminal organizations terrorizing Haiti, experts warn.

Read more on Barron's

Silicon Valley’s biggest players are flush with cash and were able to fund much of the initial AI build-out from their own coffers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In late 2022, Noem was quietly preparing to launch another sprawling ad campaign — only this time, the money would come from state coffers.

Read more on Salon

But a row over how to share the risk has left Kyiv's coffers looking distinctly bare.

Read more on BBC

Crucially, the agreement stipulates that furloughed government workers receive back pay, which will refill their coffers and allow for some catch-up spending.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exchequer 
• treasury 
• war chest