Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LES'SON, n. [les'n; This word we probably have received from the Fr. leçon, L. lectio, from lego, to read, Fr. lire, lisant; Sp. leccion; It. lezione; Sw. lexa; and not from the D. leezen, G. lesen, to read.]

1. Any thing read or recited to a teacher by a pupil or learner for improvement; or such a portion of a book as a pupil learns and repeats at one time. The instructor is pleased when his pupils recite their lessons with accuracy and promptness.
2. A portion of Scripture read in divine service. Thus endeth the first lesson.
3. A portion of a book or manuscript assigned by a preceptor to a pupil to be learnt, or for an exercise; something to be learnt. Give him his lesson.
4. Precept; doctrine or notion inculcated. Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an evil lesson against thyself. – Eccles.
5. Severe lecture; reproof; rebuke. She would give her a lesson for walking so late. – Sidney.
6. Tune written for an instrument. – Davies.
7. Instruction or truth, taught by experience. The lessons which sickness imparts, she leaves to be practiced when health is established.