Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CORE, n. [Fr. cœur; Norm. core; Sp. corazon; Port. coraçam; It. cuore; from L. cor, the heart, Gr. κεαρ. See Class Gr.]

1. The heart or inner part of a thing; particularly the central part of fruit, containing the kernels or seeds; as, the core of an apple or quince. It was formerly applied to place; as, in the core of a square. – Ralegh.
2. The inner part of an ulcer or boil. – Dryden.
3. A body. Fr. corps. [Not used.] – Bacon.
4. A disorder of sheep, occasioned by worms in the liver. – Chambers.