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.

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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

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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

“This case involves a blatant abuse of public trust — funneling taxpayer dollars intended for students into personal coffers,” Hochman said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Though gas-tax holidays resulted in some savings for drivers, the impact only went so far — and state tax coffers are not as flush as they were several years ago, he added.

From MarketWatch

Although he’s still analyzing exactly how much, he estimates tax strategies by wealthy residents could have cost state coffers roughly $800 million last year.

From Barron's

After spending $2.5 million to fund the Article III Project, a group he had started to support Senate judicial nominees, Davis said he told his companions that it was time to “refill his coffers.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In the last Budget, that was extended until 2031, pulling more money out of incomes and into the tax office coffers than otherwise.

From BBC

Related Words

• exchequer
• treasury
• war chest