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| n. 1. A watertight structure within which construction work is carried on under water. 2. See camel. 3. A large box open at the top and one side, designed to fit against the side of a ship and used to repair damaged hulls under water. Also called cofferdam. 4. A floating structure used to close off the entrance to a dock or canal lock. 5. a. A horse-drawn vehicle, usually two-wheeled, used to carry artillery ammunition in warfare or to bear a coffin at a military funeral. b. A large box used to hold ammunition. [French, from Old French, large box, alteration (influenced by caisse, chest) of casson, from Italian cassone, augmentative of cassa, box, from Latin capsa.]  (click for a larger image) caissonescorting the coffin of President Ronald Reagan to the US Capitol Rotunda in 2004 |
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