Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EL'BOW, n. [Sax. elnboga, or elneboga; ulna, the arm, the ell, and boga, bow; contracted into elboga, elbow; G. elbogen; D. elleboog; Scot. elbock, elbuck.]

1. The outer angle made by the bend of the arm. Encyc. The wings that waft our riches out of sight / Grow on the gamester's elbows. Cowper.
2. Any flexure or angle; the obtuse angle of a wall, building, or road. Encyc. To be at the elbow, is to be very near; to be by the side; to be at hand.