Cophinus
/ˈkoʊ.fɪ.nəs/noun
A basket or hamper, especially in classical Latin usage.
Did you know?Latin cophinus comes from Greek kóphinos, a word for a basket or hamper, and it’s one of those everyday objects whose name moved across the ancient Mediterranean with trade and language contact.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kap-
“To grasp, seize, or take hold of”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κόφινος (kóphinos)
“A basket or hamper”
Classical Latin
Latin
cophinus
“A basket, hamper, or wicker container”
Late Latin
Latin
cophinus
“Used in inherited and regional forms for a basket or container”
Old French
Old French
cofin
“A basket or hamper”
Modern English
English
cuffin / cofin (dialectal, obsolete)
“A basket or hamper in older or regional English usage”