Definition of caisson Caisson

/kejˈsʌn/ - [keysun] - cais•son

We found 21 definitions of caisson from 7 different sources.

What does caisson mean?

Noun Plural: caissons
caisson - a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition
		military vehicle vehicle used by the armed forces
caisson - large watertight chamber used for construction under water
		pneumatic caisson, cofferdam
caisson - a chest to hold ammunition
		ammunition chest
caisson - an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
		coffer, lacuna

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caisson (Noun)
An enclosure, from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc.
caisson (Noun)
The gate across the entrance to a dry dock .
caisson (Noun)
A floating tank that can be submerged, attached to an underwater object and then pumped out to lift the object by buoyancy; a camel.
caisson (Noun)
A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition and a coffin at funerals.
caisson (Noun)
A large box to hold ammunition.
caisson (Noun)
A variant of coffer.

caisson (n.)
A chest to hold ammunition.
caisson (n.)
A four-wheeled carriage for conveying ammunition, consisting of two parts, a body and a limber. In light field batteries there is one caisson to each piece, having two ammunition boxes on the body, and one on the limber.
caisson (n.)
A chest filled with explosive materials, to be laid in the way of an enemy and exploded on his approach.
caisson (n.)
A water-tight box, of timber or iron within which work is carried on in building foundations or structures below the water level.
caisson (n.)
A hollow floating box, usually of iron, which serves to close the entrances of docks and basins.
caisson (n.)
A structure, usually with an air chamber, placed beneath a vessel to lift or float it.
caisson (n.)
A sunk panel of ceilings or soffits.

caisson
kās′on, n. a tumbril or ammunition wagon: a chest filled with explosive materials: a strong case for keeping out the water while the foundations of a bridge are being built: an apparatus for lifting a vessel out of the water for repairs or inspection: the pontoon or floating gate used to close a dry-dock. [Fr., from caisse, a case or chest. See Case.]

caisson
An adopted term for a sort of float sunk to a required depth by letting water into it, when it is hauled under the ship's bottom, receives her steadily, and on pumping out the water floats her. These were long used in Holland, afterwards at Venice, and in Russia, where they were known as camels (which see). Caisson is also a vessel fitted with valves, to act instead of gates for a dry dock. Used also in pontoons (which see).

caisson
In gunnery, is a carriage used for conveying ammunition for a field battery. It is a four-wheeled carriage, consisting of two parts, one of which is a limber similar to that of a gun-carriage, and connected in a similar way by a wooden stock and lunette. On the axle-body of the rear part, and parallel to the stock, are placed three rails upon which are fastened two ammunition-boxes, one behind the other, and similar to the one on the limber; so that the caisson has three ammunition-boxes, which will seat nine cannoneers. The interior compartments of the ammunition-boxes vary according to the nature of the ammunition with which they are loaded. In the rear of the last box is placed a spare wheel-axle of iron, with a chain and toggle at the end of it. On the rear end of the middle rail is placed a carriage-hook similar to a pintle-hook, to which the lunette of a gun-carriage whose limber has become disabled may be attached, and the gun carried off the field. The caisson has the same turning capacity and mobility as the gun-carriage, so that it can follow the piece in all its manœuvres, if necessary. It also carries a spare wheel, spare pole, etc. See ORDNANCE, CARRIAGES FOR, THE CAISSON.