corpus
noun
cor·pus ˈkȯr-pəs 
plural corpora ˈkȯr-p(ə-)rə
1
: the body of a human or animal especially when dead
2
a
: the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
the corpus of the uterus
b
: the main body or corporeal substance of a thing
specifically : the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income or interest
3
a
: all the writings or works of a particular kind or on a particular subject
especially : the complete works of an author
b
: a collection or body of knowledge or evidence
especially : a collection of recorded utterances used as a basis for the descriptive analysis of a language
Synonyms
- oeuvre
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a computerized corpus of English Jane Austen's corpus is modest in number but magnificent in achievement.
Recent Examples on the Web For a long time, the entire corpus of the European launch industry was institutional, consisting of Ariane rockets. 
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 July 2022 The Frank corpus, for its part, coheres in one hapless creature’s attempts to amuse himself in between horrifying encounters with monsters that are both unknowable and the building blocks of the world around him. Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022 Aggressive pounding of the meat stick can cause a tear to the tunica albuginea which opens up the corpus cavernosa and lets all that blood out. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 2 Aug. 2022 These medical organizations recommend these medications and procedures for transgender individuals because there is a corpus of scientific literature affirming their benefits when medically indicated. Ashley Andreou, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2022 Those left out will be paid 11-12 lakh rupees ($14,089-$15,370), a corpus part comprising the salary and part government’s contribution. Manavi Kapur, Quartz, 16 June 2022 Sitting at the grim intersection of science fiction and gory, outlandish transformations of the human corpus, body horror is a signature of Cronenberg’s work. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2022 The Writefull linguists also run interesting corpus analyses on academic texts, and often present their findings in their free webinars with academic writing tips. Quora, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Habeas corpus has never been applied to nonhuman animals in New York, says the zoo, and doing so would open the door to legal chaos and add greater strain on the state’s court systems. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 22 May 2022 See More
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 July 2022 The Frank corpus, for its part, coheres in one hapless creature’s attempts to amuse himself in between horrifying encounters with monsters that are both unknowable and the building blocks of the world around him. Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022 Aggressive pounding of the meat stick can cause a tear to the tunica albuginea which opens up the corpus cavernosa and lets all that blood out. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 2 Aug. 2022 These medical organizations recommend these medications and procedures for transgender individuals because there is a corpus of scientific literature affirming their benefits when medically indicated. Ashley Andreou, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2022 Those left out will be paid 11-12 lakh rupees ($14,089-$15,370), a corpus part comprising the salary and part government’s contribution. Manavi Kapur, Quartz, 16 June 2022 Sitting at the grim intersection of science fiction and gory, outlandish transformations of the human corpus, body horror is a signature of Cronenberg’s work. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2022 The Writefull linguists also run interesting corpus analyses on academic texts, and often present their findings in their free webinars with academic writing tips. Quora, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Habeas corpus has never been applied to nonhuman animals in New York, says the zoo, and doing so would open the door to legal chaos and add greater strain on the state’s court systems. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 22 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "body, entity, group of people, collection, compendium" — more at midriff
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing corpus
Medical Definition
corpus
noun
cor·pus ˈkȯr-pəs
plural corpora -p(ə-)rə
1
: the human or animal body especially when dead
2
: the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
the corpus of the jaw
see corpus uteri Legal Definition
corpus
noun
cor·pus ˈkȯr-pəs, -ˌpu̇s
plural corpora -pə-rə
: the main body of a thing
specifically : the principal of a fund, trust, or estate as distinct from income or interest : res
corpus
noun
1
as in output
the complete works of an author Jane Austen's corpus is modest in number but magnificent in achievement Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- output
- oeuvre
- canon
2
as in corpse
a dead body international conventions requiring that the corpus of the enemy combatant be treated with respect and dignity Synonyms & Similar Words
- corpse
- carcass
- remains
- cadaver
- relics
- bones
- corse
- stiff
- mummy
- ashes
- deceased
- decedent
- carrion
- carnage
