Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GULF, n. [Fr. golfe; It. Sp. and Port. golfo; Arm. golf; D. golf; Gr. κολπος.]

1. A recess in the ocean from the general line of the shore into the land, or a tract of water extending from the ocean or a sea into the land, between two points or promontories; a large bay; as, the gulf of Mexico; the gulf of Venice; the gulf of Finland. A gulf and a bay differ only in extent. We apply bay to a large or small recess of the sea, as the bay of Biscay, the bay of Fundy; but gulf is applied only to a large extent of water.
2. An abyss; a deep place in the earth; as, the gulf of Avernus. Spenser.
3. A whirlpool; an absorbing eddy. Spenser.
4. Any thing insatiable. Shak.