Corporal

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkɔː.pɹəl/, /ˈkɔː.pÉœ.ɹəl/
• US enPR: kôr'pÉ™r-É™l, IPA: /ˈkɔːɹ.pɜ˞.əɫ/, /ˈkɔːɹ.pɹəɫ/

From Old French corporal (French corporel), from Latin corporālis, from Latin corpus ("body"); compare corporeal.

Full definition of corporal

Adjective

1. (archaic) Having a physical, tangible body; corporeal.Quotation
• 1603-06: "Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted as breath into the wind." — Macbeth: Ac.1 Sc3, Wm. Shakespeare.
2. Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body.

Synonyms

• bodily
• corporeal

Derived terms

• corporality
• corporal punishment

Corrupted from the French caporal, from the Italian caporale, from capo ("head, leader") from the Latin caput ("head").

Noun

1. (military) 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.

Derived terms

• corporal's guard
• lance corporal
• ship's corporal

From the Latin corporale, the neuter of corporalis representing the doctrine of transubstantiation in which the eucharist becomes the body of Christ.

Noun

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

Derived terms

• corporal oath