Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TAV'ERN, n. [Fr. taverne; W. tavarn; L. taberna; tab, the root of table, a board, and Sax. ærn, place.]

A house licensed to sell liquors in small quantities, to be drank on the spot. In some of the United States, tavern is synonymous with inn or hotel, and denotes a house for the entertainment of travelers, as well as for the sale of liquors, licensed for that purpose.