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caisson

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caisson

Main Entry:: cais·son
Pronunciation:: \ˈkā-ˌsän, -s^ən, British also kə-ˈsün\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: French, from Middle French, from Old Occitan, from caissa chest, from Latin capsa — more at case
Date:: circa 1702

1 a: a chest to hold ammunition b: a usually 2-wheeled vehicle for artillery ammunition attachable to a horse-drawn limber ; also : a limber with its attached caisson2 a: a watertight chamber used in construction work under water or as a foundation b: a hollow floating box or a boat used as a floodgate for a dock or basin3: coffer 3

[caisson illustration]

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