Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SE-DI'TION, n. [Fr. from L. seditio. The sense of this word is the contrary of that which is naturally deducible from sedo, or sedeo, denoting a rising or raging, rather that an appeasing. But to set is really to throw down, to drive, and sedition may be a setting or rushing together.]

A factious commotion of the people, or a tumultuous assembly of men rising in opposition to law or the administration of justice, and in disturbance of the public peace. Sedition is a rising or commotion of less extent than an insurrection and both are less than rebellion; but some kinds of sedition in Great Britain, amount to high treason. In general, sedition is a local or limited insurrection in opposition to civil authority, as mutiny is to military. – Ezra iv. Luke xxii. Acts xxiv. Encyc.