|
(kr"pral), n.[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 noncommissioned 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"poral a.[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"poral (kr"pral), Cor°pora"le (-r?"l?)} n.[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. 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. スポンサード リンク
|