■ noun
1》 a small chest for holding valuables.
↘( ~s ) the funds or financial reserves of an institution.
2》 a decorative sunken panel in a ceiling.
■ verb [usu. as adjective ~ed ] decorate (a ceiling) with a ~ or ~s.
Origin
ME: from OFr. coffre 'chest', via L. from Gk kophinos 'basket'.