corporal Definition

corporal¹
noun

1. A non-commissioned officer in the army or air force.

Etymology: 16c: French, from Italian caporale, probably associated with capo head.

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corporal²
adj

1. Relating or belonging to the body.

Thesaurus: corporeal, bodily, fleshly, carnal.

Etymology: 14c: French, from Latin corporalis, from corpus body.

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corporal³
noun

1. Christianity.
A white cloth, usually made from linen, on which the bread and wine of the Eucharist are laid out and with which the remains are covered.

Etymology: 14c: from Latin corporale pallium, from corpus body (see also pallium).