/ ˈkɒfə(r); NAmE ˈkɔːf-; ˈkɑːf-/ noun
1.
[ C ] a large strong box, used in the past for storing money or valuable objects
2.
(also cof·fers ) [ pl. ] a way of referring to the money that a government, an organization, etc. has available to spend :
The nation's coffers are empty.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French coffre chest, via Latin from Greek kophinos basket.