Emily Dickinson Lexicon

chip (-s), n. [OE cippian, corresponds to Efris. kippen, cut, MLG kippen, chip eggs, hatch.] (webplay: stone).

Fragment; small piece; remains or fragments of a broken-off whole.

chirping, verbal adj. [mod.Ger. zirpen, a parallel imitative word.]

Happy-sounding; reminiscent of the cheerful, short sound that birds make.

chisel (-ed), v. [ONFr. < L. cisorium, cutting tool.] (webplay: carve, used).

Carve or cut with a chisel; shaping or sculpting marble by carving away rock; [fig.] shaping something; bringing something out.

chivalry (chilvalries), n. [ME < L. caballāri-us, rider, horseman; compare It. cavalleria, knighthood, horse-soldiery, cavalry.] (webplay: arms, lands, sword).

Disinterested bravery, honor, and courtesy; the brave, honorable, and courteous character attributed to the ideal knight.

choice, n. [ME chois < Ger. kaus, try, test, prove, discern, percieve.] (webplay: choose, dead, life, judgment, mind, power, time, using).

1. Decision; determination; resolution; position reached after consideration.
2. Option; power to decide for oneself.

choir (-s), n. [ME quer < L. chorus, company of dancers, dance, company, band.]

Organized body of singers, usually in a church service.

choose (choosing, -s, chose), v. [OE céos-an.] (webplay: choice, imitation, life, out, power, preference, refuse, take, select, ways).

1. Prefer; favor; accept; receive; welcome.
2. Elect; pick; select; make a choice from a number of alternatives.
3. Desire; want; wish; have the desire or inclination to do something.

choral (-s), n. [Ger. < med. L. cantus choral-is.]

Hymn set to a tune of simple devotional character, which is usually sung in unison.

chorister, n. [ME querestre.] (webplay: church).

Person who leads a choir, or others, in church music.

chose (-n), v. [see choose, v.]