caisson

(sən, -sän′)

noun

  1. a chest for holding ammunition
  2. a two-wheeled wagon for transporting ammunition
  3. a watertight enclosure inside which underwater construction work can be done
  4. a watertight box for raising sunken ships: after the box is sunk and attached, the water is forced out of it so that it floats
  5. a hollow, boat-shaped box, used as a floodgate at a dock or basin

Origin: Fr < It cassone < cassa, a chest < L capsa, a box, case

See caisson in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  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.
  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 and coffins at military funerals.
    b. A large box used to hold ammunition.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: , from Old French, large box

Origin: , alteration (influenced by caisse, chest)

Origin: of casson

Origin: , from Italian cassone

Origin: , augmentative of cassa, box

Origin: , from Latin capsa

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