Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PO'ET, n. [Fr. poete; L. Sp. and It. poeta; Gr. ποιητης. See Poem.]

1. The author of a poem; the inventor or maker of a metrical composition. A poet is a maker, as the word signifies; and he who can not make, that is, invent, hath his name for nothing. – Dryden.
2. One skilled in making poetry, or who has a particular genius for metrical composition; one distinguished for poetic talents. Many write verses who can not be called poets.