Cor″po‐ral (kôr″pō̍‐ral), 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.