Trunk·fish n. Zool. Any one of several species of plectognath fishes, belonging to the genus Ostracion, or the family Ostraciontidae, having an angular body covered with a rigid integument consisting of bony scales. Some of the species are called also coffer fish, and boxfish.
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Cof·fer n.
1. A casket, chest, or trunk; especially, one used for keeping money or other valuables.
In ivory coffers I have stuffed my crowns. --Shak.
2. Fig.: Treasure or funds; -- usually in the plural.
He would discharge it without any burden to the queen's coffers, for honor sake. --Bacon.
Hold, here is half my coffer. --Shak.
3. Arch. A panel deeply recessed in the ceiling of a vault, dome, or portico; a caisson.
4. Fort. A trench dug in the bottom of a dry moat, and extending across it, to enable the besieged to defend it by a raking fire.
5. The chamber of a canal lock; also, a caisson or a cofferdam.
Coffer dam. Engin. See Cofferdam, in the Vocabulary.
Coffer fish. Zool. See Cowfish.
Cow·fish n. Zool. (a) The grampus. (b) A California dolphin (Tursiops Gillii). (c) A marine plectognath fish (Ostracoin quadricorne, and allied species), having two projections, like horns, in front; -- called also cuckold, coffer fish, trunkfish.
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