English Lexicon

Coffin

/ˈkɒf.ɪn/
nounverbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4520 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A long, narrow box, typically of wood, in which a dead body is buried or cremated.

    "The wooden coffin was adorned with wreaths of fresh flowers."
As verb
  1. 1

    To place a dead body in a coffin.

    "They prepared to coffin the remains according to family traditions."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old French word 'coffin' (meaning basket, chest, or coffer), stemming from the Latin 'cophinus', which traces back to the Greek 'kophinos' (a large basket). Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a simple container or basket to specifically denote a box or chest for burying a dead body.

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