corporal
/'kɔ:pərəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Relating to the physical body: "Corporal" describes something that pertains to or affects the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.
- Bodily, material: It can also mean having a physical, tangible form.
Noun:
- A military rank: A "corporal" is a noncommissioned officer in the army, air force, or marines, typically ranking above a private and below a sergeant.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Corporal punishment is banned in many schools. (Physical punishment involving the body is banned in many schools.)
- The injury caused him corporal suffering. (The injury caused him physical suffering.)
Noun:
- He was promoted to corporal after two years of service. (He was promoted to the rank of corporal after two years of service.)
- The corporal led the squad on patrol. (The noncommissioned officer led the squad on patrol.)
Advanced Usage
"Corporal" in a religious context (historical/archaic): Refers to a cloth on which the consecrated elements are placed during the Eucharist. This usage is now rare.
- The priest carefully folded the corporal after the service.
"Corporal" vs. "Corporeal": While often used interchangeably to mean "bodily," "corporeal" more strongly emphasizes having a material, physical substance.
- They debated the existence of corporeal beings beyond our dimension.
Variants and Related Words
Corporality (n): The quality of being physical or bodily.
- The corporality of the experience made it unforgettable.
Corporally (adv): In a bodily or physical manner.
- The law prohibits punishing students corporally.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Bodily, physical, somatic, fleshly, carnal.
- Noun: Noncommissioned officer, NCO.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Mental, spiritual, intellectual, psychological.
Related Phrases
Corporal punishment: Physical punishment, such as caning or flogging, inflicted on the body.
- The debate on corporal punishment for children continues.
Corporal's guard: A small, makeshift military detachment, often implying a very small number of personnel.
- He defended the post with only a corporal's guard.
Adjective
- possessing or existing in bodily form
- what seemed corporal melted as breath into the wind- Shakespeare
- an incarnate spirit
- `corporate' is an archaic term
- affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
- bodily needs
- a corporal defect
- corporeal suffering
- a somatic symptom or somatic illness
Noun
- a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines