Emily Dickinson Lexicon

parasol (-s), n. [Fr. < It. para, for + sole, sun.] (webplay: ladies, rain, umbrella).

1. Dainty umbrella; elegant, handheld, collapsible shade used by ladies to shield their faces from the sun.
2. [Fig.] delicate wings of a butterfly.
3. [Fig.] exquisitely thin petals of a morning-glory flower; fragile life.