corporal

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. corporalis, fr. corpus body. See Corpse. ] 1. Belonging or relating to the body; bodily. “Past corporal toil.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pillories and other corporal infections. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Corporal punishment (law), punishment applied to the body of the offender, including the death penalty, whipping, and imprisonment. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having a body or substance; not spiritual; material. In this sense now usually written corporeal. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

A corporal heaven . . . .where the stare are. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖ } n. [ LL. corporale: cf. F. corporal. See Corporal, a. ] A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Corporal oath, a solemn oath; -- so called from the fact that it was the ancient usage for the party taking it to touch the corporal, or cloth that covered the consecrated elements. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.: pl. Corporalities [ L. corporalitas: cf. F.corporalit&unr_;. ] 1. The state of being or having a body; bodily existence; corporeality; -- opposed to spirituality. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A confraternity; a guild. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In or with the body; bodily; as, to be corporally present. Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]