Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-CON'TI-AS, n. [Gr. ακοντιας; ακοντιον, a dart, from ακων.]

1. A species of serpent, called dart-snake, or jaculum, from its manner of darting on its prey. This serpent is about three feet in length; of a light gray color with black spots resembling eyes; the belly perfectly white. It is a native of Africa and the Mediterranean isles; is the swiftest of its kind, and coils itself upon a tree, from which it darts upon its prey.
2. A comet or meteor resembling the serpent.