Definition

1. Noun:
   • The physical body of an organism, especially as distinct from the mind, spirit, or cells. In biology and medicine, "soma" refers to the body as a whole, or specifically to the cell body of a neuron.
   • (In Hinduism) A ritual drink used in ancient Vedic ceremonies, considered sacred and intoxicating. This meaning originates from historical religious texts.
   • A leafless East Indian vine (Sarcostemma acidum) whose milky juice was used to prepare the intoxicating Vedic drink.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Physical Body):
  • The study focused on the effects of stress on the human soma.
  • The soma of the nerve cell contains the nucleus.
• Noun (Ritual Drink):
  • In the Rigveda, soma is praised as a divine beverage.
• Noun (Plant):
  • The soma plant is difficult to find in modern times.

Advanced Usage

• "Somatic": (Adjective) Relating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind.
  • Somatic symptoms are physical manifestations of psychological distress.
• "Somatization": (Noun) The process by which psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms.
  • The patient's chronic pain was a case of somatization.

Variants and Related Words

• Somatic (adj): Pertaining to the body. are all the cells of the body except reproductive cells.
• Psychosomatic (adj): Involving both mind and body, often describing physical illness caused or aggravated by mental factors.
• Somatotype (n): A category to which people are assigned according to the type of body build.

Synonyms

• Body: The physical structure of a person.
• Physique: The form, size, and development of a person's body.
• Flesh: The soft substance of the body, often contrasted with the spirit.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary modern, scientific meaning is the physical body or cell body.
• The meanings related to the ritual drink and the plant are historical, religious, and botanical, primarily encountered in studies of ancient texts or ethnobotany.

Noun

1. alternative names for the body of a human being
   • Leonardo studied the human body
   • he has a strong physique
   • the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
2. personification of a sacred intoxicating drink used in Vedic ritual
3. leafless East Indian vine; its sour milky juice formerly used to make an intoxicating drink