Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHAM'BLES, n. [Sax. scamel, L. scamnum, a bench, It. scanno, Sp. escaño; from L. scando.]

1. The place where butcher's meat is sold; a flesh-market. – 1 Cor. x.
2. In mining, a niche or shelf left at suitable distances to receive the ore which is thrown from one to another, and thus raised to the top.