Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPOOL, n. [G. spule; D. spoel; Dan. and Sw. spole.]

A piece of cane or reed, or a hollow cylinder of wood with a ridge at each end; used by weavers to wind their yarn upon in order to slaie it and wind it on the beam. The spool is larger than the quill, on which yarn is wound for the shuttle. But in manufactories, the word may be differently applied.