Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAG-A-ZINE, n. [Fr. magazin; It. magazzino; Sp. magacen and almacen; Port. almazem or armazem; from Ar. خَزَنَ gazana, to deposit or lay up for preservation. This word is formed with the Shemitic prefix m.]

1. A store of arms, ammunition or provisions; or the building in which such store is deposited. It is usually a public store or storehouse.
2. In ships of war, a close room in the hold, where the gunpowder is kept. Large ships have usually two magazines. Mar. Dict.
3. A pamphlet periodically published, containing miscellaneous papers or compositions. The first publication of this kind in England, was the Gentleman's Magazine, which first appeared in 1731, under the name of Sylvanus Urban, by Edward Cave, and which is still continued.