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caisson
(kā′sən, -sän′)
noun
- a chest for holding ammunition
- a two-wheeled wagon for transporting ammunition
- a watertight enclosure inside which underwater construction work can be done
- 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
- 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
- A watertight structure within which construction work is carried on under water.
- See camel.
- 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.
- A floating structure used to close off the entrance to a dock or canal lock.
- 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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