coffer

American  

[kaw-fer, kof-er] / ˈkɔ fər, ˈkɒf ər /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of coffer

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

Example Sentences

When oil prices drop, smaller, independent oil producers that make up a huge chunk of the domestic industry struggle to get enough cash flowing into their coffers to drill their next wells.

From The Wall Street Journal

The city itself is grappling with the competing financial demands of speeding recovery while needing to fill its coffers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The use of drones has led to more fines, giving a revenue boost to city coffers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Empathy tells us to help everyone all the time, to open our hearts, our borders and maybe even our federal coffers.

From Los Angeles Times

Financial mismanagement and the bankruptcy of multiple large employers have drained the town’s coffers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exchequer
• treasury
• war chest