corporal
adjectivenounnouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkɔːp(ə)ɹəl//
- United States//ˈkoɹ.pɚ.əl//
- United States//ˈkoɹ.pɹəl//
Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body; bodily.
adjective
- 1
archaicHaving a physical, tangible body; material, corporeal.
Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted as breath into the wind.
- 2
Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body; bodily.
corporal punishment
corporal suffering
- 3
Pertaining to the body (the thorax and abdomen), as distinguished from the head, limbs and wings, etc.
The smaller 9 9 have less elongated fins, drabber corporal colors, and more transparent fins.
Etymology
From Middle English corporal, corporall, corporel, corporell, from Old French corporal (French corporel), from Latin corporālis, from Latin corpus (“body”); compare corporeal.
noun
- 1
A non-commissioned officer army rank with NATO code OR-4. The rank below a sergeant but above a lance corporal and private.
- 2
A non-commissioned officer rank in the police force, below a sergeant but above a private or patrolman.
- 3
historicalA worker in charge of the wagonway, reporting to the deputy.
- 4
A dragonfly of the genus Ladona.
Etymology
From French caporal, probably influenced by corporal (above), from the Italian caporale, from capo (“head, leader”) from Latin caput (“head”).
noun
- 1
The white linen cloth on which the elements of the Eucharist are placed; a communion cloth.
He had […] many corporals, chalice-veils, and sudaria
Etymology
From Middle English corporall, corporalle, from the Latin corporāle, the neuter of corporālis representing the doctrine of transubstantiation in which the Eucharist becomes the body of Christ.
Forms
- plural
- corporals
corporal · Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body; bodily.
corporate · Of or relating to an institution; institutional.corporation · A body corporate, created by law or under authority of law,…corps · A battlefield formation composed of two or more divisions.