Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems Glossary

Glossary of Terms

abyss

chasm; something that is immeasurably deep or infinite

adroit

skillful

ascribe

to give credit to someone or something for

assent

agree, especially formally

astute

clever and perceptive

auspiciously

in a way that promises well for the future; is marked by good omens

balm

something that has the effect of calming, soothing, or comforting

beneficent

good or charitable; producing benefits

Boanerges

biblical name meaning “Son of thunder”

bullion

bars of gold or silver

chiefer

greater

cordial

hospitably warm, friendly and affectionate

demur

show reluctance, or object somewhat

divinest

of most godlike nature

dun

brownish gray color

Eider-duck

large sea duck that is the source of eiderdown

elate

capable of making someone very happy and excited

emphatic

with emphasis

encroached

trespassed on something, or exceeded proper limits

enmity

hostility; extreme ill-will existing between enemies

fallow

currently inactive; or, of a light yellowish brown color

firmament

sky, or a specific sphere of operation

forge

metal workshop or furnace for heating metal

gambrels

roofs with two slopes on each side

Himmaleh

mountains in Nepal

homely

plain or less than pleasing in appearance

impregnable

impossible to break into or capture

maelstrom

an exceptionally large or violent whirlpool; figuratively, a turbulent or violent situation

malignity

potential to cause harm or death

ore

mineral from which metal is extracted

pare

remove the outer layer

perceptible

large, great or distinct enough to be noticed; detectable

pervade

spread throughout something

posterior

following something in time

prodigious

great in amount, size, or extent, or, marvelous

quivers

trembles; shakes rapidly

sacrament

something sacred

sagacity

wisdom or discernment

sham

fake

shanties

crude shacks

solder

to unite things to form a single whole

supercilious

full of contempt and arrogance

tippet

a stole or cape, often made of fur, with long ends that hang down the front

troth

a solemn vow or pledge, especially the vow of faithfulness as part of a wedding ceremony

typic

typical; conforming to a specific type

unanointed

not blessed with oil in a religious ceremony; not ordained

vanquished

defeated in battle or competition

Vesuvian

volatile, volcanic; marked by sudden outbursts