Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHOUL'DER, n. [Sax. sculdre, sculdor, sculder; G. schulter; D. schouder; Sw. skuldra; Dan. skulder.]

1. The joint by which the arm of a human being or the fore leg of a quadruped is connected with the body; or in man the projection formed by the bones called scapulæ or shoulder-blades, which extend from the basis of the neck in a horizontal direction.
2. The upper joint of the fore leg of an animal cut for the market; as, a shoulder of mutton.
3. Shoulders, in the plural, the upper part of the back. Adown her shoulders fell her length of hair. – Dryden.
4. Figuratively, support; sustaining power; or that which elevates and sustains. For on thy shoulders do I build my seat. – Shak.
5. Among artificers, something like the human shoulder; horizontal or rectangular projection from the body of thing. – Moxon.