coffer
/ˈkɔfɚ/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.18 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome.
noun
A temporary watertight structure used during underwater construction of bridges, causeways, ships, etc.
Example Sentences
- ""There is nothing in that," said Guido, "but a genealogy of the Carraras, drawn up by my grandfather. We have kept this little ebony coffer for the sake of its curious carving. The marriage of Cana is beautifully wrought on its lid.""
- "Prolapsed and waterstained ceiling, the sagging coffers."
- "c. 1610–1620 (written), 1661 (first published), Francis Bacon, Letter of Advice to the Duke of Buckingham He would discharge it without any great burden to the queen's coffers."
- "Hold, there is half my coffer."
- "The coffers were empty, and the first thing to be done was to devise some means by which we could raise a revenue."
- "I must not forget these boxes, which are most ingeniously made of the pith of a palm leaf pegged together, lined inside with pandanus leaves, and outside with the same, or with plaited grass. All the joints and angles are coffered with strips of split rattan sewn neatly on."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: cofre, cophinus, κόφινος
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkɔfɚ/
- British English: /ˈkɒfə/