Caisson

//ˈkeɪ.sɑn// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An enclosure from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc.

    "During the construction of the viaduct, the sinking of the caissons in the river bed caused much difficulty to the engineer and contractors, as a bed of running sand was encountered; in consequence, the expenditure for these foundations proved almost prohibitive."

  2. 2
    large watertight chamber used for construction under water wordnet
  3. 3
    The gate across the entrance to a dry dock.
  4. 4
    a chest to hold ammunition wordnet
  5. 5
    A floating tank that can be submerged, attached to an underwater object and then pumped out to lift the object by buoyancy; a camel.
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition wordnet
  2. 7
    A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition (and a coffin at funerals).

    "Over hill, over dale / As we hit the dusty trail, / And those caissons go rolling along."

  3. 8
    an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome wordnet
  4. 9
    A large box to hold ammunition.
  5. 10
    A chest filled with explosive materials, used like a mine.
  6. 11
    A coffer.

Etymology

Borrowed from French caisson. Doublet of cassone and cajón.

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