Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCAPE'-GOAT, n. [escape and goat.]

In thy Jewish ritual a goat which was brought to the door of the tabernacle, where the high priest laid his hands upon him, confessing the sins of the people, and putting them on the head of the goat; after which the goat was sent into the wilderness, bearing the iniquities of the people. Lev. xvi.