Emily Dickinson Lexicon

seraph (-im, -s, -'s), n. [L. < Heb.]

1. Angel; spirit; heavenly being; personage of light; [fig.] dear one who has died; lovely person who has passed away.
2. Flying insect; winged creature; [personification] bee; butterfly.
3. Holy Ghost; Spirit of God; divine messenger.
4. Bird; [fig.] cloud bank; [metaphor] winter month.
5. Member of the highest order of angels; one of the celestial beings hovering above God's throne in Isaiah's vision (see Isaiah 6:2,6).