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Entry 4 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Corporal

/(kôr"pō̇*ral)/ · Cor·po·ral · IPA /ˈkoɹ.pɚ.əl/
01 n. A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the United States army he is the lowest noncommissioned officer in a company of infant…
  1. 1.
    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.(Mil.)
Phrases & compounds
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.
Ship's corporal — a petty officer who assists the master at arms in his various duties.
02 a. Belonging or relating to the body; bodily.
  1. 1.
    Belonging or relating to the body; bodily.
    “Pillories and other corporal infections.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    Having a body or substance; not spiritual; material. In this sense now usually written corporeal.
    “A corporal heaven . . . .where the stare are.” — Latimer.
    “What seemed corporal melted As breath into the wind.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
Corporal punishment — punishment applied to the body of the offender, including the death penalty, whipping, and imprisonment.
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.
03 n. A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth.
  1. 1.
    A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth.
Phrases & compounds
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.