Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PORT-AL, n. [It. portella; Fr. portail.]

1. In architecture, a little gate, where there are two gates of different dimensions. – Encyc.
2. A little square corner of a room, separated from the rest by a wainscot, and forming a short passage into a room. – Encyc.
3. A kind of arch of joiner's work before a door. – Encyc.
4. A gate; an opening for entrance; as, the portals of heaven.