coffer-dam

See also: cofferdam

English

Noun

coffer-dam (plural coffer-dams)

  1. (engineering) A type of watertight enclosure used to create a dry foundation for building bridges and other structures over water.
    • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:
      He stood full six feet in height, with noble shoulders, and a chest like a coffer-dam.
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