• (RP) IPA: /ˈkɒfə/
• (America) IPA: /ˈkɔfɚ/
• (America, cot-caught, Canada) IPA: /ˈkɑfɚ/

coffer (plural coffers)

1. A strong chest or box used for keeping money or valuables safe.

   Synonyms: strongbox

2. (architecture) An ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome.

   Synonyms: caisson

   • 1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, Random House, p.135:

     Prolapsed and waterstained ceiling, the sagging coffers.

3. A cofferdam.
4. A supply or store of money, often belonging to an organization.
   • 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.

   • c. 1601–1602, William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or VVhat You VVill”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act IV, scene iii]:

     Hold, there is half my coffer.

5. A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it with raking fire.

• French: coffre
• German: Kassette, Geldkassette, Tresor, Schatztruhe, Truhe, Kiste, Kasten
• Italian: cofano, cofanetto, scrigno, forziere
• Portuguese: cofre
• Russian: сунду́к
• Spanish: cofre

• French: caisson
• German: Kassetten, Kassette
• Italian: cassettone

• German: Kasse
• Russian: казна́
• Spanish: arcas

coffer (coffers, present participle coffering; past and past participle coffered)

1. (transitive) To put money or valuables in a coffer
2. (transitive) To decorate something, especially a ceiling, with coffers.

1. Surname