Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JAV'E-LIN, n. [Fr. javeline; It. giavellotto; Sp. jabalina, the female of the wild boar, and a javelin, from jabali, a wild boar.]

A sort of spear about five feet and a half long, the shaft of which was of wood, but pointed with steel; used by horse or foot. Every Roman soldier carried seven javelins.