coffer

[ kaw-fer, kof-er ]

/ ˈkɔ fər, ˈkɒf ər /

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See synonyms for: coffer / coffers on Thesaurus.com

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.

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Origin of coffer

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

OTHER WORDS FROM coffer

cof·fer·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coffer in a sentence

Soon his coffers were overflowing with revenue from rubber, palm oil, and ivory.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Five, the tens or arguably hundreds of millions of dollars in dark money that flowed from corporate sources into GOP coffers.
The Real Reason Democrats Lost|Michael Tomasky|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We on my side say: unionization, massive public investments, a tax rate that kept the coffers full, a few other things.
What Plantation Is Jim DeMint Living On?|Michael Tomasky|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, the interim left the property operating at a loss, its coffers drained.
The Grape King from Shogunate Japan|Debra A. Klein|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Ukraine is currently in its third recession since 2008, and is seeing foreign reserve coffers at their lowest levels since 2006.
Up to Speed: What’s Going on in Ukraine?|Nina Strochlic|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Railway expectations ran high; immense traffic receipts, sorely needed, ought to have swelled the coffers of the companies.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The grateful cowmen should throw at least another five thousand into ye editor's coffers.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Before these marvels, where shone all the gold of his coffers, the Nabob had a sudden feeling of admiration and of pride.
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet
We must allow that the saddles were not paid for, and that the coffers were empty, but still it made a magnificent effect.
Chicot the Jester|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
Three coffers whose depth is not known: the coffers of a chieftain, of the Church, of a privileged poet.
Ancient Irish Poetry|Various

British Dictionary definitions for coffer

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

coffer

Origin of coffer

OTHER WORDS FROM coffer

Words related to coffer

How to use coffer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coffer

Word Origin for coffer