in architecture, a square depression or sinking in each interval between the modillions of the Corinthian cornice; ordinarily filled up with a rosette; sometimes with a pomegranate, or other enrichment.

in fortification, denotes a hollow lodgement, athwart a dry moat, from 6 to 7 feet deep, and from 16 to 18 broad; the upper part made of pieces of timber raised two feet above the level of the moat; which little elevation has hurdles laden with earth for its covering, and serves as a parapet with embrasures: the coffer is nearly the same with the caponiere, excepting that this last is sometimes made beyond the counter-carp on the glacis; and the coffer always in the moat taking up its whole breadth, which the caponiere does not. It differs from the traverse and gallery, in that these latter are made by the besiegers, and the coffer by the besieged. The besieged generally make use of coffers to repulse the besiegers when they endeavour to pass the ditch. To save themselves from the fire of these coffers, the besiegers throw up the earth on that side towards the coffer.

COFFERER of the king's household, a principal officer in the court, next under the comptroller, who, in the counting-house, and elsewhere at other times, has a special charge and oversight of other officers of the house, for their good demeanour and charge in their offices; to all which he pays their wages.