Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SER-A-PHI'NA, or SER'A-PHINE, n. [from Seraph.]

A keyed wind instrument, the tones of which are generated by the play of wind upon metallic reeds, as in the accordion. It consists, like the organ, of a key board, wind-chest and bellows. By means of a pedal, the stress of the wind upon the reeds may be so regulated as to give, with fine effect, the expression of accent, crescendo and diminuendo. – Dr. Fitch.