Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAFT, n. [Sax. hæft, a haft, and hæftan, to seize; G. heft; D. heft; Dan. hefte; from the root of have, or of L. capio, W. hafiaw, to snatch.]

A handle; that part of an instrument or vessel which is taken into the hand, and by which it is held and used. It is used chiefly for the part of a sword or dagger by which it is held; the hilt.