Emily Dickinson Lexicon

chaos (-es), n. [L. < Gk. caos, vast gulf or chasm, abyss, empty space, first state of the universe < ca-, yawn, gape.] (webplay: existed, order, power).

1. Oblivion; limbo; nil; zero; the void; the abyss; infinite emptiness; state of nothingness that allegedly existed prior to an ordered universe; [fig.] numbness; meaninglessness; insignificance; lack of feeling.
2. Confusion; disorder; breakdown; bedlam; pandemonium; falling apart; [fig.] dissolution; dismemberment; disintegration; decay; decomposition; effect of death; [fig.] serpent that tries to overcome creation; dragon that plots to overthrow gods and humans.