Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SIDE, n. [Sax. sid, side, sida, a side, also wide, like L. latus, D. zyde, side, flank, page; zid, far; G. seite; Sw. sida; Dan. side, a side; sid or siid, long, trailing; sidst, last; Scot. side, long. These words indicate the radical sense to be to extend, dilate or draw out.]

1. The broad and long part or surface of a thing, as distinguished from the end, which is of less extent and may be a point; as, the side of a plank; the side of a chest; the side off a of a house or of a ship. One side of a lens may be concave, the other convex. Side is distinguished from edge; as, the side of a knife or sword.
2. Margin; edge; verge; border; the exterior line of any considered in length; as, the side of a tract of land or a field, as distinct from the end. Hence we say, the side of a river; the side of a road; the east and west side of the American continent.
3. The part of an animal between the back and the face and belly; the part on which the ribs are situated; as, the right ride; the left side. This in quadrupeds is usually the broadest part.
4. The part between the top and bottom; the slope, declivity, or ascent, as of a hill or mountain; as, the side of Mount Etna.
5. One part of a thing, or its superficies; as, the side of a ball or sphere.
6. Any part considered in respect to its direction or point of compass; as, to whichever side we direct our view. We see difficulties on every side.
7. Party; faction; sect; any man or body of men considered as in opposition to another. One man enlists on the side of the tories; another on the side of the whigs. Some persons change sides for the sake of popularity and office, and sink themselves in public estimation. And sets the passions on the side of truth. – Pope.
8. Interest; favor. The Lord is on my side. – Ps. cxviii.
9. Any part being in opposition or contradistinction to another; used of persons or propositions. In that battle, the slaughter was great on both sides. Passion invites on one side; reason restrains on the other. Open justice bends on neither side. – Dryden.
10. Branch of a family; separate line of descent; as, by the father's side he is descended from a noble family; by the mother's side his birth is respectable.
11. Quarter; region; part; as, from one side of heaven to the other. To take sides, to embrace the opinions or attach one's self to the interest of a party when in opposition to another. To choose sides, to select parties for competition in exercises of any kind.