Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PROM'ON-TO-RY, n. [L. promontorium; pro, forward, and mons, a mountain; Fr. promontoire; It. and Sp. promontorio.]

In geography, a high point of land or rock, projecting into the sea beyond the line of coast; a head land. It differs from a cape in denoting high land; a cape may be a similar projection of land high or low. Like one that stands upon a promontory. – Shak. If you drink tea on a promontory that overhangs the sea, it is preferable to an assembly. – Pope.