Basic Details
Word: Coffer
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A strongbox or small chest for holding valuables; a treasury or fund of money.
Synonyms: Chest, strongbox, treasury, vault
Antonyms: Debt, poverty, deficit, emptiness
Idioms and Phrases
- Fill the coffers: To increase the amount of money available, especially for a government or organization. Example: "The fundraising event helped fill the coffers of the local charity."
- Empty the coffers: To spend or use up all available funds. Example: "The war efforts emptied the national coffers quickly."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The ancient coffer was filled with gold coins and precious jewels.
Example 2: The museum displayed a medieval coffer used by royalty to store important documents.
Example 3: The government's coffers were replenished through increased tax revenue.
Fun Fact
The word "coffer" comes from the Old French *cofre*, meaning a chest, which in turn comes from the Latin *cophinus*, meaning basket. Originally, it referred to physical boxes but is now also used metaphorically to refer to funds or resources.
Famous Quote
"Empty coffers never bought rich dreams." Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "coffer" mean?
a) A type of tree
b) A container for valuables or funds
c) A cooking utensil
d) A musical instrument
Answer: b) A container for valuables or funds
2. Which of these is a synonym of "coffer"?
a) Vault
b) Hole
c) Debt
d) Bag
Answer: a) Vault
3. Which is an antonym of "coffer"?
a) Chest
b) Safe
c) Deficit
d) Box
Answer: c) Deficit
4. Which sentence uses "coffer" correctly?
a) The coffer flew over the lake at sunset.
b) They stored all the documents in the coffer for safekeeping.
c) She wore a coffer around her neck.
d) He cooked the rice in a coffer.
Answer: b) They stored all the documents in the coffer for safekeeping.
5. What does the idiom "fill the coffers" mean?
a) To remove money
b) To decorate a box
c) To increase funds
d) To open a treasure chest
Answer: c) To increase funds
