I. ˈkȯfə(r), ˈkäf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English coffre, from Old French cofre, coffre, from Latin cophinus basket, from Greek kophinos
1. : chest , casket , box ; especially : a strongbox for the safe storage of money or other valuables
2. : treasury , exchequer , funds — usually used in plural
captives … whose ransoms did the general coffers fill — Shakespeare
working children contribute to the household coffers — D.G.Bettison
3.
a. : the chamber of a canal lock
b. : caisson
c. : floating dock
d. : cofferdam
4.
a. : a recessed panel usually forming with other panels a continuous pattern in a vault, ceiling, or soffit
b. : a space (as in a wall or pier) filled with concrete, rubble, or other materials
II. transitive verb
( coffered ; coffered ; coffering -f(ə)riŋ ; coffers )
Etymology: Middle English cofren, from cofer, n.
1. : to put into, store, or hoard up in a coffer ; broadly : to keep securely : treasure up : hoard
2. : to form (as a ceiling) with recessed panels ; sometimes : to recess (as a panel)
3. : to secure (as a mining shaft) from leaking by ramming clay behind the masonry or timbering