coffin

¹

[ kaw-fin, kof-in ]

noun

1. the box or case in which the body of a dead person is placed for burial; casket.
2. the part of a horse's foot containing the coffin bone.
3. Printing.
   1. the bed of a platen press.
   2. the wooden frame around the bed of an early wooden press.

verb (used with object)

1. to put or enclose in or as in a coffin.

Coffin

²

[ kaw-fin, kof-in ]

noun

1. Levi, 1798–1877, U.S. abolitionist leader.
2. Robert P(eter) Tristram, 1892–1955, U.S. poet, essayist, and biographer.

coffin

/ ˈkɒfɪn /

noun

1. a box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
2. the part of a horse's foot that contains the coffin bone

verb

1. tr to place in or as in a coffin
2. engineering another name for flask

Other Words From

• coffin·less adjective
• un·coffin verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffin¹

1300–50; Middle English cofin < Old North French < Latin cophinus < Greek kóphinos a kind of basket

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffin¹

C14: from Old French cofin, from Latin cophinus basket; see coffer

Example Sentences

Four pallbearers carried the coffin from the church after the funeral and they were followed by Payne’s parents and Cole.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Payne’s coffin arrived in a carriage drawn by two white horses.

From New York Times

She added: "Mental health is a massive issue in the agricultural industry and this feels like the final nail in the coffin for those farmers who are already struggling."

From BBC

They had not long set sail when they learned the wrong coffin had been loaded so they returned to port and it was swapped over - in full view of the bemused passengers.

From BBC

Many experts believe Trump’s election is a last “nail in the coffin” for efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crate
• sarcophagus