Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CRAFT, n. [Sax. cræft, art, cunning, power, force; G. Sw. and Dan. kraft, power, faculty; W. crev, cryv, strong; crevu, to cry, to scream; to crave; cryvau, to strengthen, to wax strong; craf, a clasp; crafu, to hold, to comprehend, to perceive; crafus, of quick perception. The primary sense is to strain or stretch. Hence strength, skill, a crying out, holding, &c.]

1. Art; ability; dexterity; skill. Poesy is the poet's skill or craft of making. – B. Jonson.
2. Cunning, art or skill, in a bad sense, or applied to bad purposes; artifice; guile; skill or dexterity employed to effect purposes by deceit. The chief priests and scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. – Mark xiv.
3. Art; skill; dexterity in a particular manual occupation; hence, the occupation or employment itself; manual art; trade. Ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. – Acts xix.
4. All sorts of vessels employed in loading or unloading ships, as lighters, hoys, barges, scows, &c. Small craft is a term given to small vessels of all kinds, as sloops, schooners, cutters, &c.