Dictionary entry

Corporal (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Cor″po‐ral, 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.