Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EC'LOGUE, n. [ec'log; Gr. εκλογη, choice; εκλεγω, to select.]

Literally, a select piece. Hence, in poetry, a pastoral composition, in which shepherds are introduced conversing with each other, as the eclogues of Virgil; or it is a little elegant composition in a simple natural style and manner. An eclogue differs from an idyllion, in being appropriated to pieces in which shepherds are introduced. Encyc.