Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BIS'CUIT, n. [bis'kit; Fr. compounded of L. bis, twice, and cuit, baked; It. biscotto; Sp. bizcocho.]

1. A kind of bread, formed into cakes, and baked hard for seamen.
2. A cake, variously made, for the use of private families. The name, in England, is given to a composition of flour, eggs, and sugar. With us the name is given to a composition of flour and butter, made and baked in private families. But the compositions under this denomination are very various.
3. The body of an earthern vessel, in distinction from the glazing. – Thomson.