Corporal

//ˈkoɹ.pɚ.əl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having a physical, tangible body; material, corporeal. archaic, not-comparable

    "Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted as breath into the wind."

  2. 2
    Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body; bodily. not-comparable

    "corporal punishment"

  3. 3
    Pertaining to the body (the thorax and abdomen), as distinguished from the head, limbs and wings, etc. not-comparable

    "The smaller 9 9 have less elongated fins, drabber corporal colors, and more transparent fins."

Adjective
  1. 1
    possessing or existing in bodily form wordnet
  2. 2
    affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit wordnet
Noun
  1. 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. 2
    The white linen cloth on which the elements of the Eucharist are placed; a communion cloth.

    "He had […] many corporals, chalice-veils, and sudaria"

  3. 3
    a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines wordnet
  4. 4
    A non-commissioned officer rank in the police force, below a sergeant but above a private or patrolman.
  5. 5
    A worker in charge of the wagonway, reporting to the deputy. historical
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  1. 6
    A dragonfly of the genus Ladona.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English corporal, corporall, corporel, corporell, from Old French corporal (French corporel), from Latin corporālis, from Latin corpus (“body”); compare corporeal.

Etymology 2

From French caporal, probably influenced by corporal (above), from the Italian caporale, from capo (“head, leader”) from Latin caput (“head”).

Etymology 3

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.

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