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coffer

coffer

30 7.8
A strong chest used to keep money or important papers
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːfər/
translation icon : arca
  • In Angola, an estimated $4.2 billion has gone missing from government coffers over the last few years.
  • government coffers
  • public coffers
  • state coffers

And now it's all buried in the coffers of a settlement.

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Examples

  • The subsidies mostly filled the coffers of speculators in the black market, rather than helping those in need.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Meath was gazing at the large coffer of medicines on the table.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Somewhere in the city lay a brassbound coffer containing the Crown and Shield Parchment.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Approximately 10,000 people are out of work, leaving state coffers severely depleted.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The ancient coffer was filled with gold coins and priceless artifacts.

  • She carefully opened the old coffer, revealing letters and photographs from her ancestors.

  • After searching the attic, he discovered a hidden coffer containing old family heirlooms.

Synonyms

chest
vscoffer
363 1.0

A large strong box for storing clothes or valuables

is for keeping money and important documents in a secure container
deposit box
vscoffer
70 2.8

A secure metal box in a bank where people keep valuables

is a general strong box for valuables not only for bank storage
safe-deposit
vscoffer
35 4.6

A locked metal box in a bank where people keep valuable things or documents

is broader and not tied to bank location or metal construction
safe-deposit box
vscoffer
30 3.7

A strong metal box in a bank that holds valuable things

is similar but used outside banks and in less formal settings
treasure chest
vscoffer
11 3.0

A large strong box that holds money or jewels

is a plain secure storage used for money and important documents
cashbox
vscoffer
1 3.2

A strong box for keeping money in shops or at events

is for storing a wider range of valuables and important documents
money box
vscoffer
  • UK
1 2.0

A small container with a slot on top for keeping coins or paper money

is a substantial secure storage for money valuables and important documents
coin bank
vscoffer
1 1.0

A small container with a slot for saving coins at home

is heavy duty storage for valuable items and important papers
burse
vscoffer
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word for a small flat case used to hold money or papers

is a large sturdy container meant for secure storage at one place

How Secure

vault
238 4.8
coffer
30 7.8
chest
363 1.0
box
1.0

Surface Forms

coffer singular
coffers plural

Etymology

Coffer comes from an old word for a 'basket' (Greek kophinos, later Latin and Old French), so it first named a box used to hold money and valuables. That's why a coffer today means a strong chest or box for keeping important things.