Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MED'AL, n. [Fr. medaille; It. medaglia; Sp. medalla; Arm. metallinn; from L. metallum, metal. Qu. Ar. مَطَلَ matala, to beat or extend by beating. Class Md, No. 45.]

An ancient coin, or a piece of metal in the form of a coin, stamped with some figure or device to preserve the portrait of some distinguished person, or the memory of an illustrious action or event.