Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Caisson
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 approach.
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.)
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
.Definition 2024
Caisson
Caisson
caisson
caisson
See also: Caisson
English
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.
- 2003, Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything, BCA, p. 213:
- Caissons were enclosed dry chambers built on river beds to facilitate the construction of bridge piers.
- 2003, Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything, BCA, p. 213:
- 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.
Derived terms
Translations
enclosure from which water can be expelled
gate across the entrance to a dry dock
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floating tank that can be submerged
two-wheeled horse-drawn military vehicle
large box of ammunition
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architecture: coffer — see coffer