coffered

[ kaw-ferd, kof-erd ]

/ ˈkɔ fərd, ˈkɒf ərd /

adjective

(of a vault, ceiling, or soffit) having coffers.

Nearby words

coffeecake, coffeehouse, coffeepot, coffer, cofferdam, coffered, coffeyville, coffin, coffin bone, coffin corner, coffin nail

Origin of coffered

First recorded in 1580–90; coffer + -ed³

Definition for coffered (2 of 2)

coffer

[ kaw-fer, kof-er ]

/ ˈkɔ fər, ˈkɒf ər /

noun

a box or chest, especially one for valuables.

coffers, a treasury; funds: The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.

any of various boxlike enclosures, as a cofferdam.

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)

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

to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.

Origin of coffer

1250–1300; Middle English cofre < Old French ≪ Latin cophinus basket; see coffin

Related forms

cof·fer·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coffered

It has been guessed that they formed centres for a coffered ceiling, and there is nothing to negative the conjecture.
A History of Art in Chalda & Assyria, v. 1|Georges Perrot
The ceilings of the aisles are coffered and sustain heavy gold bosses, which enrich the gorgeous effect of their strong colour.
Cathedral Cities of Italy|William Wiehe Collins
The church is an oblong hall about 135 feet long, including the chancel, by nearly 40 wide, roofed with a coffered barrel vault.
Portuguese Architecture|Walter Crum Watson
This vault, considerably lower than the passage arches, is semicircular and coffered.
Portuguese Architecture|Walter Crum Watson

From the coffered ceiling hangs the metal baldachin, like a precious lantern's chain without a lamp.
An Artist's Letters From Japan|John La Farge

British Dictionary definitions for coffered

coffer

/ (ˈkɒfə) /

noun

a chest, esp for storing valuables

(usually plural) a store of money

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

a watertight box or chamber

short for cofferdam
a recessed panel in a concrete, metal, or timber soffit

verb (tr)

to store, as in a coffer

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

Word Origin for coffer

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012