n. 1 a box, esp. a large strongbox for valuables. 2 (in pl.) a treasury or store of funds. 3 a sunken panel in a ceiling etc. coffer-dam a watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit work below the waterline on building bridges etc., or for repairing a ship. coffered adj.
[ ME f. OF coffre f. L cophinus f. Gk kophinos basket ]