Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LADLE, n. [Sax. hlædle, from hladan, supra.]

1. An utensil somewhat like a dish, with a long handle, used for throwing or dipping out liquor from a vessel.
2. The receptacle of a mill wheel, which receives the water which moves it.
3. In gunnery, an instrument for drawing the charge of a cannon. – Mar. Dict.