caisson
/ˈkeɪ.sɑn/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.14 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A (permanent) enclosure from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc.
noun
The gate across the entrance to a drydock.
noun
A floating tank that can be submerged, attached to an underwater object and then pumped out to lift the object by buoyancy.
noun
A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition (and a coffin at funerals).
noun
A large box to hold ammunition.
Example Sentences
- "During the construction of the viaduct, the sinking of the caissons in the river bed caused much difficulty to the engineer and contractors, as a bed of running sand was encountered; in consequence, the expenditure for these foundations proved almost prohibitive."
- "Caissons were enclosed dry chambers built on river beds to facilitate the construction of bridge piers."
- "Near-synonym: pontoon"
- "Near-synonym: limber"
- "Over hill, over dale / As we hit the dusty trail, / And those caissons go rolling along."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkeɪ.sɑn/
- British English: /ˈkeɪ.sən/