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Noun: caisson  'key,són or key-sun
  1. Large watertight chamber used for construction under water
    "The engineers used a pneumatic caisson to build the bridge's underwater foundation";
    - pneumatic caisson, cofferdam
     
  2. A chest to hold ammunition
    "The soldiers carefully stored their rifles and ammunition in the caisson";
    - ammunition chest
     
  3. (military) a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition
    "The caisson rumbled across the battlefield, supplying the artillery units"
     
  4. An ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
    "The Renaissance palace featured intricate caissons on its ceilings";
    - coffer, lacunar

Derived forms: caissons

Type of: chamber, chest, military vehicle, panel

Encyclopedia: Caisson