CAISSON
caisson, pneumatic caisson, cofferdam
(noun) large watertight chamber used for construction under water
caisson, ammunition chest
(noun) a chest to hold ammunition
caisson
(noun) a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition
coffer, caisson, lacunar
(noun) an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
caisson (plural caissons)
(engineering) An enclosure from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc.
The gate across the entrance to a dry dock.
(nautical) A floating tank that can be submerged, attached to an underwater object and then pumped out to lift the object by buoyancy; a camel.
(military) A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition (and a coffin at funerals).
(military) A large box to hold ammunition.
(military) A chest filled with explosive materials, used like a mine.
(architecture) A coffer.
Anagrams
• Caisons, assicon, casinos, cassino, cassoni
Source: Wiktionary
Cais"son, n. Etym: [F., fr. caisse, case, chest. See 1st Case.]
1. (Mil.)
(a) A chest to hold ammunition.
(b) A four-wheeled carriage for conveying ammunition, consisting of
two parts, a body and a limber. In light field batteries there is one
caisson to each piece, having two ammunition boxes on the body, and
one on the limber. Farrow.
(c) A chest filled with explosive materials, to be laid in the way of
an enemy and exploded on his appoach.
2.
(a) A water-tight box, of timber or iron within which work is carried
on in building foundations or structures below the water level.
(b) A hollow floating box, usually of iron, which serves to close the
entrances of docks and basins.
(c) A structure, usually with an air chamber, placed beneath a vessel
to lift or float it.
3. (Arch.)
Definition: A sunk panel of ceilings or soffits. Pneumatic caisson
(Engin.), a caisson, closed at the top but open at the bottom, and
resting upon the ground under water. The pressure of air forced into
the caisson keeps the water out. Men and materials are admitted to
the interior through an air lock. See Lock.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition