Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A temporary watertight enclosure that is pumped dry to expose the bottom of a body of water so that construction, as of piers, can occur.
- noun A watertight chamber attached to the side of a ship to facilitate repairs below the water line.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In a war-ship, one of a series of compartments. in the vicinity of the water-line above the protective deck, built in the interior against the ship's side or around hatches, forming a double wall, which can be packed to prevent water from entering the vessel after the side has been pierced by shot. In the United States navy the packing is made of the pith of corn-stalks. See
def . 2. - noun A water-tight wooden inclosure built in a body of water, in order to obtain a firm and dry foundation for bridges, piers, etc., by pumping out the water from its interior.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A water-tight inclosure, as of piles packed with clay, from which the water is pumped to expose the bottom (of a river, etc.) and permit the laying of foundations, building of piers, etc.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A temporary watertight structure that is pumped dry to enclose an area underwater and allow construction work on a
ship ,bridge , orrig to be carried out; acaisson . - noun nautical An empty space that acts as a protective barrier between two floors or
bulkheads on a ship.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun large watertight chamber used for construction under water
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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The plan is to cover the leak in the structure known as a cofferdam, and funnel the oil to the surface.
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The plan is to cover the leak in the structure known as a cofferdam, and funnel the oil to the surface.
Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local By FREDERIC J. FROMMER Associated Press Writer 2010
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With what had been thought to be the best immediate solution to contain the leak, a 78-ton steel and concrete box known as a cofferdam, resting useless on the sea floor, BP said the next best way to contain the oil could be in the form of a smaller containment dome.
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The reason for the cofferdam was the release of extra water by the U.S.
unknown title 2009
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What had been thought to be the best immediate solution to contain the leak, a 78-ton steel and concrete box known as a cofferdam that took two weeks to build, rested useless on the sea floor, and the gulf's fragile ecosystem seemed to be facing if not the worst case scenario, then one that was certainly very bad - an outpouring of oil that will go on for perhaps three more months before a relief well can intercept the leaking one and seal it.
Free Internet Press 2010
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This video shows the failed attempt over the weekend to lower a 100-ton, 4-story "cofferdam" dome over the top of the main leak.
New Footage of BP's Failed Containment Dome Effort (VIDEO) 2010
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The outer hull stops over 90 percent of any radiation; then comes the "cofferdam" (cargo holds and water tanks) which absorbs some more; then comes the inner hull which is actually the floor of the cylinder which is first-class passenger country.
Podkayne Of Mars Heinlein, Robert A. 1963
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Adam Gabbatt demonstrates how BP plans to use a 'cofferdam' to stem the flow of leaking oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED 2010
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Deepwater team attempts to put 'cofferdam' over blown-out oil well
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Adam Gabbatt demonstrates how BP plans to use a 'cofferdam' to stem the flow of leaking oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead
reesetee commented on the word cofferdam
In shipbuilding, a narrow compartment (void space) between two transverse bulkheads or floors, to separate incompatible contents or spaces.
August 25, 2009