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 calledcaissonlacuna 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 Words From

• coffer·like 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

Plus, founders can avoid the spectacle of salespeople beating down their door when they find out the startup has cash in the coffers.

From TechCrunch

Kuaishou, which is backed by Tencent, now has a replenished coffer to invest in growth and hopefully work towards profitability.

From TechCrunch

Since the 1940s, advertisers have filled TV networks’ coffers in exchange for the opportunity to put their messages in front of huge audiences of potential consumers.

From Quartz

Kentucky, Montana, Vermont, and West Virginia have announced they’ll throw in an additional $100 per week from their own coffers, raising the enhanced benefit to $400 per week.

From Fortune

That’s not money that goes to our coffers, nor is it money that goes to our profits.

From Freakonomics

Hutch is an old word for chest or coffer, chiefly used now in the compound ‘rabbit-hutch.’

From Project Gutenberg

Then King Loc ordered another coffer to be opened, in which were only pearls.

From Project Gutenberg

When at last his rage subsided, he clasped his hands together and bent over the coffer once more.

From Project Gutenberg

With a hollow groan he fell forward over the coffer, striking his head upon the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

He took out the coffer and opened it; from it there fell out an apple, which rolled towards the couch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exchequer
• treasury
• war chest