Cof″fer (?; 115), n. [OF. cofre, F. coffre, L. cophinus basket, fr. Gr. �. Cf. Coffin, n.] 1. A casket, chest, or trunk; especially, one used for keeping money or other valuables. Chaucer.
In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns.
Shak.
2. Fig.: Treasure or funds; — usually in the plural.
He would discharge it without any burden to the queen's coffers, for honor sake.
Bacon.
Hold, here is half my coffer.
Shak.
3. (Arch.) A panel deeply recessed in the ceiling of a vault, dome, or portico; a caisson.
4. (Fort.) A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it by a raking fire.
5. The chamber of a canal lock; also, a caisson or a cofferdam.
Coffer dam. (Engin.) See Cofferdam, in the Vocabulary. — Coffer fish. (Zoöl.) See Cowfish.