from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Corps \Corps\ (k[=o]r, pl. k[=o]rz), n. sing. & pl. [F., fr. L.
corpus body. See {Corpse}.]
1. The human body, whether living or dead. [Obs.] See
{Corpse}, 1.
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By what craft in my corps, it cometh [commences] and
where. --Piers
Plowman.
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2. A body of men; esp., an organized division of the military
establishment; as, the marine corps; the corps of
topographical engineers; specifically, an army corps.
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A corps operating with an army should consist of
three divisions of the line, a brigade of artillery,
and a regiment of cavalry. --Gen. Upton
(U. S.
Tactics. )
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3. A body or code of laws. [Obs.]
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The whole corps of the law. --Bacon.
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4. (Eccl.) The land with which a prebend or other
ecclesiastical office is endowed. [Obs.]
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The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents
have a corps. --Bacon.
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5. [Ger.] In some countries of Europe, a form of students'
social society binding the members to strict adherence to
certain student customs and its code of honor; -- Ger.
spelling usually {korps}.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Army corps}, or (French) {Corps d'arm['e]e} (k[-o]r`
d[aum]r`m[asl]"), a body containing two or more divisions
of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself.
{Corps de logis} (k[-o]r` de l[-o]`zh[-e]") [F., body of the
house], the principal mass of a building, considered apart
from its wings.
{Corps diplomatique} (k?r d?`pl?`m?-t?k") [F., diplomatic
body], the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a
government.
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