Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VOICE, n. [Fr. voix; L. vox; It. voce; Sp. voz; Gaelic, bagh, a word; baigham, to speak to; Ir. focal, a word; Sans. vach, to speak, L. voco. The sense of the verb is to throw, to drive out sound; and voice is that which is driven out.]

1. Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals. We say, the voice of a man is loud or clear; the voice of a woman is soft or musical; the voice of a dog is loud or harsh; the voice of a bird is sweet or melodious. The voice of human beings is articulate; that of beasts, inarticulate. The voices of men are different, and when uttered together, are often dissonant.
2. Any sound made by the breath; as, the trumpet's voice.
3. A vote; suffrage; opinion or choice expressed. Originally voice was the oral utterance of choice, but it now signifies any vote, however given. Some laws ordain, and some attend the choice / Of holy senates, and elect by voice. – Dryden. I have no words; / My voice is in my sword. – Shak.
4. Language; words; expression. Let us call on God in the voice of his church. – Felt.
5. In Scripture, command; precept. Ye would not he obedient to the voice of the Lord your God. – Deut. viii.
6. Sound. After the fire, a still small voice. – 1 Kings xix. Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? . – Job xl. The floods have lifted up their voice. – Ps. xciii.
7. Language; tone; mode of expression. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice. Gal. iv.
8. In grammar, a particular mode of inflecting or conjugating verbs; as, the active voice; the passive voice.