coffered

[kaw-ferd, kof-erd] /ˈkɔ fərd, ˈkɒf ərd/
adjective
1.
(of a vault, ceiling, or soffit) having coffers.
Origin
1580-90; coffer + -ed3

coffer

[kaw-fer, kof-er] /ˈkɔ fər, ˈkɒf ər/
noun
1.
a box or chest, especially one for valuables.
2.
coffers, a treasury; funds:
The coffers of the organization were rapidly filled by the contributions.
3.
any of various boxlike enclosures, as a cofferdam.
4.
Also called caisson, lacunar. Architecture. one of a number of sunken panels, usually square or octagonal, in a vault, ceiling, or soffit.
verb (used with object)
5.
to deposit or lay up in or as in a coffer or chest.
6.
to ornament with coffers or sunken panels.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English cofre < Old French ≪ Latin cophinus basket; see coffin
Related forms
cofferlike, adjective
Examples from the web for coffered
  • Gilded and coffered ceiling, marble columns in grandiose lobby.
  • Enter into a gracious windowed entry hall flanked by a stunning living room with coffered ceiling and wood burning fireplace.
  • It has a magnificent marble lobby with coffered ceiling and bronze torcheres.
  • The large family room has a coffered ceiling, bay window and a window seat.
  • With high coffered ceilings and rustic floors, the elegance continues throughout this one bedroom apartment.
  • The richly panelled octagonal library has a fireplace, a wet bar, a coffered ceiling and three exposures with long windows.
  • On the inside, the two-story lobby has a coffered ceiling.
  • The two story entrance lobby with its coffered vaulted ceiling is imposing but light and airy.
  • Especially notable are the coffered lobby ceilings designed by the firm for both buildings.
  • The atrium ceiling curves down to a heavy molding and is centered by a large coffered skylight.
British Dictionary definitions for coffered

coffer

/ˈkɒfə/
noun
1.
a chest, esp for storing valuables
2.
(usually pl) a store of money
3.
Also called caisson, lacuna. an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, etc
4.
a watertight box or chamber
5.
  1. short for cofferdam
  2. a recessed panel in a concrete, metal, or timber soffit
verb (transitive)
6.
to store, as in a coffer
7.
to decorate (a ceiling, dome, etc) with coffers
Word Origin
C13: from Old French coffre, from Latin cophinus basket, from Greek kophinos
Word Origin and History for coffered

coffer

n.

mid-13c., from Old French cofre "a chest" (12c., Modern French coffre), from Latin cophinus "basket" (see coffin).

coffered in the Bible

the receptacle or small box placed beside the ark by the Philistines, in which they deposited the golden mice and the emerods as their trespass-offering (1 Sam. 6:8, 11, 15).