/'kɒfə(r); `kɔfɚ/
n
1 [C] large strong box for holding money or other valuables; chest 保险柜; 保险箱; 箱子.
2 coffers [pl] (fml 文) store of money; treasury; funds 金库; 资金
*The nation's coffers are empty. 国库空虚.
3 [C] (architecture 建) ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling, dome, etc 镶板; 藻井（天花板、圆屋顶等凹陷的装饰镶嵌板）.
4 (also `coffer-dam) [C] watertight structure built or placed round an area of water which can then be pumped dry to allow building work (eg on a bridge) to be done inside it 围堰; 沉箱.

n[C]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French;Origin: coffre, from Latin cophinus; COFFIN]
sb's coffers
the money that an organization, government etc has available to spend
　The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital's coffers a little.
a large strong box used to hold valuable or religious objects