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Glite Dictionary
🚛 A munitions cart 🛠️ A watertight box 🏛️ A sunken panel
caisson

caisson

9.9
A sunken decorative panel in a ceiling or dome
  • noun
  • /ˈkeɪsən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cajón
  • The grand hall was adorned with beautiful caissons in the ceiling, enhancing the room's elegance.

Examples

  • Each caisson was intricately designed, showcasing the artistry of classical architecture.

  • The architect chose caissons to give the dome a classic and sophisticated look.

  • Architectural features are sometimes described as caissons, but a lot of Americans recognize the word from the official song of the U.S. Army, which mentions how "those caissons go rolling along."

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Synonyms

coffer
vscaisson
  • Specialized
1 9.7

A sunken panel in a ceiling used as decoration

is mainly associated with classical and decorative styles rather than general architectural use
lacunar
vscaisson
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small sunken panel in a ceiling that often has paintings or carvings

is a decorative panel but not necessarily as richly ornate as that form

Compounds

caisson disease
  • Archaic
1 8.3

A sickness from a quick drop in air pressure that causes joint pain, dizziness, and tiredness

pneumatic caisson
  • Specialized
9.8

A large watertight chamber filled with compressed air to keep water out while people work underwater

How Decorative

caisson
  • Specialized
9.9
coffer
  • Specialized
1 9.7

Surface Forms

caisson singular
caissons plural

Etymology

Caisson comes from the French word caisse 'box', the same root as the English case. In architecture a caisson is a 'boxed' sunken panel in a ceiling, like a small decorative box set into the roof.