CORPORAL

bodied, corporal, corporate, embodied, incarnate

(adjective) possessing or existing in bodily form; “what seemed corporal melted as breath into the wind”- Shakespeare; “an incarnate spirit”; “‘corporate’ is an archaic term”

bodily, corporal, corporeal, somatic

(adjective) affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit; “bodily needs”; “a corporal defect”; “corporeal suffering”; “a somatic symptom or somatic illness”

corporal

(noun) a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Adjective

corporal (not comparable)

(archaic) Having a physical, tangible body; material, corporeal.

Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body; bodily.

(zoology) Pertaining to the body (the thorax and abdomen), as distinguished from the head, limbs and wings, etc.

Synonyms

• bodily

• corporeal

Etymology 2

Noun

corporal (plural corporals)

(military) A non-commissioned officer army rank with NATO code OR-4. The rank below a sergeant but above a lance corporal and private.

A non-commissioned officer rank in the police force, below a sergeant but above a private or patrolman.

(mining, historical) A worker in charge of the wagonway, reporting to the deputy.

Synonyms

• bombardier

Etymology 3

Noun

corporal (plural corporals)

(ecclesiastical) The white linen cloth on which the elements of the Eucharist are placed; a communion cloth.

Source: Wiktionary

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Cor"po*ral (kr"p-ral), n. Etym: [Corrupted fr. F. caporal, It. caporale, fr. capo head, chief, L. caput. See Chief, and cf. Caporal.] (Mil.)

Definition: A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the United States army he is the lowest noncomissioned officer in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels. Corporal's guard, a detachment such as would be in charge of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a very small number of persons.

– Lance corporal, an assistant corporal on private's pay. Farrow.

– Ship's corporal (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the master at arms in his various duties.

Cor"po*ral, a. Etym: [L. corporalis, fr. corpus body. See Corpse.]

1. Belonging or relating to the body; bodily. "Past corporal toil." Shak. Pillories and other corporal infections. Milton. Corporal punishment (law), punishment applied to the body of the offender, including the death penalty, whipping, and imprisonment.

2. Having a body or substance; not spiritual; material. In this sense now usually written corporeal. Milton. A corporal heaven . . . .where the stare are. Latimer. What seemed corporal melted As breath into the wind. Shak.

Syn.

– Corporal, Bodily, Corporeal. Bodily is opposed to mental; as, bodily affections. Corporeal refers to the whole physical structure or nature, of the body; as, corporeal substance or frame. Corporal, as now used, refers more to punishment or some infliction; as, corporal punishment. To speak of corporeal punishment is an error. Bodily austerities; the corporeal mold.

Cor"po*ral (kr"p-ral), Cor`po*ra"le (-r"l), n. Etym: [LL. corporale: cf.F. corporal. See Corporal,a.]

Definition: A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth. Corporal oath, a solemn oath; -- so called from the fact that it was the ancient usage for the party taking it to touch the corporal, or cloth that covered the consecrated elements.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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