Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VAMP'IRE, n. [G. vampyr.]

1. In mythology, an imaginary demon, which was fabled to suck the blood of persons during the night.
2. In zoology, the Linnæan trivial or specific name of Pteropus Edwardsii, or the great bat of Madagascar; also, the popular name of Phyllostoma spectrum, or the Vampyre bat of New Spain; also, the popular name of the genus of bats, named Vampyrus. The Phyllostoma spectrum has been accused of causing the death of men and brute animals, by sucking their blood. The length of this bat is about six inches, and the wound which it makes is very small. It can hardly, therefore, do serious injury. There can be little doubt that the ancient fable has crept into the works of some of the naturalists.