different between caisson vs watertight

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French caisson. Doublet of cassone.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?ke?s(?)n/
• (US) IPA^(key): [?ke?s?n], [?ke?sn?]

Noun

caisson (plural caissons)

1. (engineering) An enclosure from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc.
   • 2003, Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything, BCA, p. 213:

     Caissons were enclosed dry chambers built on river beds to facilitate the construction of bridge piers.

2. The gate across the entrance to a dry dock.
3. (nautical) A floating tank that can be submerged, attached to an underwater object and then pumped out to lift the object by buoyancy; a camel.
4. (military) A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition (and a coffin at funerals).
5. (military) A large box to hold ammunition.
6. (military) A chest filled with explosive materials, used like a mine.
7. (architecture) A coffer.

Derived terms

• caisson disease

Coordinate terms

• cofferdam, a similar temporary structure

Translations

Anagrams

• Caisons, assicon, casinos, cassino, cassoni

French

Etymology

From Old Occitan caisson, from caissa; synchronically analysable as caisse +? -on.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?.s??/

Noun

caisson m (plural caissons)

1. box

Derived terms

• maladie des caissons

See also

• boîte f

Further reading

• “caisson” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Anagrams

• casinos, casions

English

Etymology

From water +? tight.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w??.t?.ta?t/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w??.t?.ta?t/, /?w??.t?.ta?t/

Adjective

watertight (comparative more watertight, superlative most watertight)

1. So tightly made that water cannot enter or escape.
2. (figuratively) So devised or planned as to be impossible to defeat, evade or nullify.

Synonyms

• waterproof, water-proof, impervious, impermeable

Derived terms

• watertight alibi
• watertightness

Related terms

Translations