Main Entry:

¹body

Pronunciation:

\ˈbä-dē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural bod·ies

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English bodig; akin to Old High German boteh corpse

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head : trunk b: the main, central, or principal part: as (1): the nave of a church (2): the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed (3): the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile 2 a: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as (1): the material part or nature of a human being (2): a dead organism : corpse b: a human being : person3 a: a mass of matter distinct from other masses <a body of water> b: something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing ; also : a sensible object in physical space c: aggregate, quantity <a body of evidence>4 a: the part of a garment covering the body or trunk b: the main part of a literary or journalistic work : text 2b c: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument5: a group of persons or things: as a: a fighting unit : force b: a group of individuals organized for some purpose <a legislative body> 6 a: fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine) b: viscosity, consistency —used especially of oils and grease c: denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture d: fullness or resonance of a musical tone