01 n. sing. & pl. The human body, whether living or dead.
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1.
The human body, whether living or dead.[Obs.]“By what craft in my corps, it cometh [commences] and where.” — Piers Plowman.
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2.
A body of men; esp., an organized division of the military establishment; as, the marine corps; the corps of topographical engineers; specifically, an army corps.“A corps operating with an army should consist of three divisions of the line, a brigade of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry.” — Gen. Upton (U. S. Tactics. )
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3.
A body or code of laws.[Obs.]“The whole corps of the law.” — Bacon.
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4.
The land with which a prebend or other ecclesiastical office is endowed.(Eccl.) [Obs.]“The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents have a corps.” — Bacon.
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5.
In some countries of Europe, a form of students' social society binding the members to strict adherence to certain student customs and its code of honor; -- Ger. spelling usually korps.
Phrases & compounds
Army corps —
a body containing two or more divisions of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself.
‖Corps de logis —
the principal mass of a building, considered apart from its wings.
Corps diplomatique —
the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a government.