ˈkāˌsän, -_s ə n, Brit often kəˈsün noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, aug. of caisse box, from Old Provençal caisa, from Latin capsa small box — more at case (box)
1.
a. : a chest packed with explosives so that it can be laid in the way of an enemy and exploded on his approach
b. : a chest to hold ammunition
c. : a 2-wheeled vehicle for artillery ammunition attachable to a horse-drawn limber for marching
2.
a. : a watertight chamber used in construction work under water (as in a harbor or river) or as a foundation — see box caisson , open caisson , pneumatic caisson ; compare cofferdam
b. : a large cistern used to float forward materials of construction during the work of extending a canal over lower ground
c. : a float for raising a sunken vessel : camel
d. : a hollow floating box or a boat used as a floodgate for a dock or basin
3. : coffer 4a
[s]caisson.jpg[/s] [
caisson 1c
]