Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COF'FER, n. [Fr. coffre; Arm. couffr, coffr; Ir. cofra; Sp. cofre; Port. id.; D. and G. koffer; Dan. koffert; Sw. id.; W. cofawr, from cof, a hollow trunk. The same French word coffre, signifies a coffer, and the trunk of the body, and a coffin. In Ar. قَفِيرٌ kafirin, is a chest or basket. The primary sense is probably a holder, or a hollow place.]

1. A chest or trunk; and as a chest is customarily used for keeping money, hence,
2. A chest of money; a treasure. – Bacon.
3. In architecture, a square depression or sinking in each interval between the modillions of the Corinthian cornice, ordinarily filled with a rose, a pomegranate, or other enrichment. – Chambers. Encyc.
4. In fortifications, a hollow lodgment across a dry moat, from 6 to 7 feet deep, and from 16 to 18 broad; the upper part made of pieces of timber, raised two feet above the level of the moat; which little elevation has hurdles laden with earth for its covering, and serves as a parapet with embrasures. It is raised by the besieged to repulse besiegers when they endeavor to pass the ditch. – Chambers. Encyc.