Coffin

¹ American  

[kaw-fin, kof-in] / ˈkɔ fɪn, ˈkɒf ɪn /

noun

1. Levi, 1798–1877, U.S. abolitionist leader.

2. Robert P(eter) Tristram, 1892–1955, U.S. poet, essayist, and biographer.

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coffin ² American  

[kaw-fin, kof-in] / ˈkɔ fɪn, ˈkɒf ɪn /

noun

1. the box or case in which the body of a dead person is placed for burial; casket.

2. the part of a horse's foot containing the coffin bone.

3. Printing.

   1. the bed of a platen press.

   2. the wooden frame around the bed of an early wooden press.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put or enclose in or as in a coffin.

coffin British  

/ ˈkɒfɪn /

noun

1. a box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

2. the part of a horse's foot that contains the coffin bone

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verb

1. (tr) to place in or as in a coffin

2. engineering another name for flask

Other Word Forms

• coffinless adjective
• uncoffin verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of coffin

1300–50; Middle English cofin < Old North French < Latin cophinus < Greek kóphinos a kind of basket

Example Sentences

Footage released by the Israeli military showed Gvili's coffin draped in an Israeli flag and surrounded by soldiers singing the national anthem.

From Barron's

Yorath's coffin was adorned with flowers in the blue, yellow and white colours of Leeds United, along with a floral arrangement in the shape of the Wales flag.

From BBC

White roses and lilies surrounded the coffin as it was carried into the basilica to the sound of Mozart.

From BBC

Valentino died on Monday at his home in Rome, and his coffin was put on public display at his foundation in the city centre on Wednesday and Thursday.

From Barron's

Mourners paid their respects Wednesday to legendary Italian designer Valentino Garavani, as his coffin went on public display following his death this week aged 93.

From Barron's

Related Words

• crate
• sarcophagus