1. The case in which a dead human body is inclosed for burial. They embalmed him [Joseph], and he was put in a coffin. Gen. 1. 26. 2. A basket. [Obs.] Wyclif (matt. xiv. 20). 3. A casing or crust, or a mold, of pastry, as for a pie. Of the paste a coffin I will rear. Shak. 4. A conical paper bag, used by grocers. [Obs.] Nares. 5. (Far.) The hollow crust or ...