Emily Dickinson Lexicon

sled (-s), n. [MFlem.]

Vehicle with runners that slides over snow or ice.

sleek, adj. [ME slike, slick.] (webplay: appearance, ease, soft).

Smooth; not rough or harsh.

sleep (-ing), n. [see sleep, v.] (webplay: careless, drink, drowsy, night).

1. The natural unconscious state or condition regularly and temporally assumed by humans and animals, during which the activity of the nervous system is almost entirely suspended, and recuperation of its powers take place. In that state the human rests unconscious of what goes on around him and is not affected by the ordinary impacts of external objects. Sleep is generally accompanied with relaxation of the muscles, but the involuntary motions, such as respiration and the circulation of the blood are continued.
2. The condition of being quiet and peaceful: complete absence of noise or movement.
3. A state of inactivity or sluggishness in person or things; a state of drowsiness with the inclination to sleep.
4. Slumber; period of rest achieved by closing one's eyes.
5. A state of ignorance or having the eyes closed.

sleep (-s, -ing, slept), v. [OE slápan.] (webplay: awake, dead, heavy, lay, live, night, rafter, rest, state, strength, time).

1. To take rest or repose by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the bodily functions and the natural suspension, complete or partial, of consciousness; cease to being awake. The normal time to sleep is during the darkness of the night.
2. To live with ignorance or like having the eyes closed.
3. That which lies dormant.
4. To be dead; to rest in the grave.

sleepy, adj. [see sleep, v.]

1. Given to sleep; lethargic, heavy.
2. Inclined to sleep; having a difficulty in keeping awake; drowsy.

sleet, n. [Poss. OE slét.] (webplay: snow).

1. Mixture of snow, hail and rain; [fig.] winter; [fig.] hardships; roughness of life.
2. [Fig.] death.

sleeve, n. [OE 'band of wood, leather, or metal'.] (webplay: hands).

Close-fitting protective cover; [fig.] the delicate “fluff” of a dandelion.

sleigh, adj. [see sled, n.]

Sled; vehicle with runners for travel over ice and snow.

slender, adj. [Obscure origin; poss. AFr.] (webplay: insufficient, suffice, supporting, table).

1. Small; insufficient.
2. Slight in foundation; lacking justification.

slice, n. [OF esclice, splinter, shiver, piece of wood.] (webplay: plate).

Fragment; thin, flat, broad piece.