Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRAIN, n. [Sax. brægan, bregen, bragen; D. brein; Gr. βρεγμα, properly the fore part of the head, or sinciput, also the brain.]

1. That soft whitish mass, or viscus, inclosed in the cranium or skull, in which the nerves and spinal marrow terminate, and which is supposed to be the seat of the soul or intelligent principle in man. It is divided above into a right and left hemisphere, and below into six lobes. It is composed of a cortical substance, which is external, and a medullary, which is internal. From the brain proceed nine pairs of nerves, which are distributed principally to the head and neck. – Hooper. Encyc.
2. The understanding. – Hale.
3. The affections; fancy; imagination. [Unusual.] – Shak. Sandys.