Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EM-PLOY'MENT, n.

1. The act of employing or using.
2. Occupation; business; that which engages the head or hands; as, agricultural employments; mechanical employments. Men, whose employment is to make sport and amusement for others, are always despised.
3. Office; public business or trust; agency or service for another or for the public. The secretary of the treasury has a laborious and responsible employment. He is in the employment of Government.