corporal

cor-po-ral · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) A non-commissioned military officer ranking above a private.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) Relating to the human body; physical.

Forms

plural: corporals

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    corporal punishment — physical punishment, such as spanking
  • •
    lance corporal — a rank below corporal

Related words

See also: military, private, sergeant

Etymology

The noun sense comes from Italian caporale, from capo ("head"). The adjective sense comes from Latin corporalis, from corpus ("body").