Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PEN-IN'SU-LA, n. [L. pene, almost, and insula, an isle; It. penesolo.]

1. A portion of land, connected with a continent by a narrow neck or isthmus, but nearly surrounded with water. Thus Boston stands on a peninsula.
2. A large extent of country joining the main land by a part narrower than the tract itself. Thus Spain and Portugal are said to be situated on a peninsula.