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 : person
3 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 instrument
5 : 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