corporal Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
adjective satellite affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
somatic; corporeal; bodily.
- bodily needs
- a corporal defect
- corporeal suffering
- a somatic symptom or somatic illness
adjective satellite possessing or existing in bodily form
bodied; incarnate; corporate; embodied.
- what seemed corporal melted as breath into the wind"- Shakespeare
- an incarnate spirit
- `corporate' is an archaic term

Corrupted fr. F. caporal, It. caporale, fr. capo head, chief, L. caput. See Chief, and cf. Caporal.

(Mil.) 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.

L. corporalis, fr. corpus body. See Corpse.

Belonging or relating to the body; bodily. "Past corporal toil." Shak.
Pillories and other corporal infections. Milton.
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.

LL. corporale: cf.F. corporal. See Corporal,a.

A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth.