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View synonyms for

coffer

[ kaw-fer, kof-er ]

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

/ ˈɒə /

noun

  1. a chest, esp for storing valuables
  2. usually plural a store of money
  3. Also calledcaissonlacuna an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, etc
  4. a watertight box or chamber
    1. short for cofferdam
    2. a recessed panel in a concrete, metal, or timber soffit
“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

verb

  1. to store, as in a coffer
  2. to decorate (a ceiling, dome, etc) with coffers
“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
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Other Word Forms

  • Ǵf· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coffer1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cofre, from Old French, ultimately from Latin cophinus “b”; coffin
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coffer1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

When it was struggling again, the local council diverted funding from other areas to top up its coffers.

From

Speaking to Salon, he said Trump administration cuts could be a ploy to turn public opinion against the agency and soften the blow of an eventual raid on its coffers.

From

The other question is whether there are individuals and private companies who will be ready to finance and ensure that there is money flowing through the coffers here.

From

“We’ve had a tremendous return to U.S. taxpayers. Over $3 billion has been returned to U.S. coffers in the United States,” Sullivan said.

From

However, costs could quickly balloon beyond what the San Gabriel Valley district maintains in its coffers, Diaz said.

From

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