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Caisson vs Pier - What's the difference?

caisson | pier |

As nouns the difference between caisson and pier

is that caisson is (engineering) an enclosure, from which water can be expelled, in order to give access to underwater areas for engineering works etc while pier is (lb) (l) (raised platform built from the shore out over water).

caisson

Noun

(en noun)
  • (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.
  • The gate across the entrance to a dry dock.
  • (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.
  • (military) A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry ammunition (and a coffin at funerals).
  • (military) A large box to hold ammunition.
  • (military) A chest filled with explosive materials, used like a mine.
  • (architecture) A coffer.
  • Derived terms

    * caisson disease

    Anagrams

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    pier

    English

    (wikipedia pier)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A raised platform built from the shore out over water, supported on piles; used to secure, or provide access to shipping; a jetty.
  • A similar structure, especially at a seaside resort, used to provide entertainment.
  • (US, nautical) A structure that projects tangentially from the shoreline to accommodate ships; often double-sided.
  • A structure supporting the junction between two spans of a bridge.
  • (architecture) A rectangular pillar, or similar structure, that supports an arch, wall or roof.
  • Derived terms

    * abutment pier * pier glass * pierlike * pier table

    See also

    * jetty * mole * wharf

    Anagrams

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