Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HORSE, n. [Sax. hors; G. ross; D. ros; Fr. rosse; It. rozzo.]

1. A species of quadrupeds of the genus Equus, having six erect and parallel foreteeth in the upper jaw, and six somewhat prominent in the under jaw; the dogteeth are solitary, and the feet consist of an undivided hoof. The horse is a beautiful animal, and of great use for draught, or conveyance on his back. Horse, in English, is of common gender, and may comprehend the male and female.
2. A constellation. Creech.
3. Cavalry; a body of troops serving on horseback. In this sense, it has no plural termination. We say, a thousand horse; a regiment of horse.
4. A machine by which something is supported; usually, a wooden frame with legs. Various machines used in the arts are thus called. Encyc.
5. A wooden machine on which soldiers ride by way of punishment; sometimes called a timber-mare. Johnson.
6. In seamen's language, a rope extending from the middle of a yard to its extremity, to support the sailors while they loose, reef or furl the sails; also, a thick rope extended near the mast for hoisting a yard or extending a sail on it. Mar. Dict. To take horse, to set out to ride on horseback. Addison. #2. To be covered, as a mare.