14 October 2017
coffer
[kaw-fer, kof-er]
noun
1. a box or chest, especially one for valuables.
2. coffers, a treasury; funds:
The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.
3. any of various boxlike enclosures, as a cofferdam.
4. Also called caisson, lacunar. Architecture. one of a number of sunken panels, usually square or octagonal, in a vault, ceiling, or soffit.
verb (used with object)
5. to deposit or lay up in or as in a coffer or chest.
6. to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.
Origin of coffer
Middle English, Old French, Latin
1250-1300; Middle English cofre < Old French ≪ Latin cophinus basket; see coffin
Related forms
cofferlike, adjective
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for coffer
Historical Examples
A fourth time he advanced, trembling, and seized the lid of the coffer.
Salvage in Space
John Stewart Williamson
How had her body come to be in the coffer, he wondered, when all the others were—gone?
Salvage in Space
John Stewart Williamson
How shall I be able to get all this great herd into so small a coffer ?
Russian Fairy Tales
W. R. S. Ralston
So that man packed away all his cattle for him in the coffer.
Russian Fairy Tales
W. R. S. Ralston
Thus a coffer dam was formed to receive the concrete as shown in Fig. 34.
Concrete Construction
Halbert P. Gillette
coffer cut with ledges and catch-holes for a lid, like other sarcophagi.
Archaeological Essays, Vol. 1
James Y. Simpson
Then he ordered the coffer to be opened, and told her all that had happened.
Europa’s Fairy Book
Joseph Jacobs
For his own coffer he extracted a fiveweight and slipped it into his boot top.
History Repeats
George Oliver Smith
The old man pressed the little book to his lips and concealed it in his coffer.
The Day of Wrath
Maurus Jkai
Please you, Mistress, there was nought but that in the coffer.
The King’s Daughters
Emily Sarah Holt
Today’s quote
It is unfortunately true that our generation and that of your parents have left you with a big mess that will now be yours to clean up: wars, budget challenges, pollution, global warming, battles of health care, natural disasters. They’re all there for you. We’re willing those to you. Are you ready?
– John Morgridge
On this day
14 October 1066 – Battle of Hastings. When King Edward of England died, William the Duke of Normandy felt the throne should go to him. Meanwhile, Earl Harold Godwinson (cousin of King Edward) felt the throne was his. The two went to battle with William decisively defeating Harold. The battle changed history as William brought England under Norman rule and stripping the Saxons of their rights. King William introduced three major changes, firstly, he made himself the principal authority, having executive, judicial and legislative power. (This was replaced centuries later by the Westminster System, which separates these three powers). Secondly, William introduced a new language and culture, by replacing 300 years of Anglo-Saxon culture with a French dialect. Thirdly, he introduced the feudal system in which a plot of land (called a fief) would be given to loyal followers.
14 October 1322 – Scotland forces led by Robert the Bruce defeat England at Byland, forcing King Edward II to grant Scotland’s independence.
14 October 1947 – American pilot, Chuck Yeager, breaks the speed of sound in the experimental jet, Bell X-1, travelling at Mach 1 and at 45,000 feet.
14 October 1959 – death of Errol Flynn, Australian-born American actor. Born 20 June 1909.
14 October 2012 – Felix Baumgarten, Austrian adventurer, becomes the first man to break the speed of sound while in freefall after jumping from a helium balloon at the edge of space, 39km above the surface of the earth. He reached a speed of 1,342 km/hr (1.24 times the speed of sound). He also broke the record for the highest altitude reached in a manned balloon flight.