Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAGE, n. [Fr. cage; D. kouw, and kooi. See Cage.]

1. A box or inclosure, made of boards, or with lattice work of wood, wicker, or wire, for confining birds or beasts. For the confinement of the more strong and ferocious beasts, a cage is sometimes made of iron. – Encyc.
2. An inclosure made with palisades for confining wild beasts. – Johnson.
3. A prison for petty criminals. – Johnson.
4. In carpentry, an outer work of timber, inclosing another within it; as, the cage of a windmill, or of a staircase. – Encyc.