corpse

noun

ˈkȯrps 

1

archaic : a human or animal body whether living or dead

2

a

: a dead body especially of a human being

b

: the remains of something discarded or defunct

the corpses of rusting cars

Did you know?

Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp

These words are frequently confused despite their very different applications. Core and corps both rhyme with more. Core can be a noun, verb, or adjective, but is most often used as a noun to refer to the central or most important part of something (“the core of the issue,” “the Earth’s core”) or to the usually inedible central part of a fruit (“an apple core”). Corps has several meanings, all of which refer to some kind of group: “the Marine Corps,” “the press corps.” Its plural form is also spelled corps (“two corps of reporters”) but is pronounced just as cores is. Unlike in corps, The “p” in corpse and corp is pronounced. Corpse refers to a dead body, and especially to the dead body of a human. Corp is an abbreviation for “corporation” and “corporal.” Corp, corps, and corpse all trace back to the Latin word corpus, meaning “body.” The origin of core is obscure.

Synonyms

• bones
• cadaver
• carcass
• corpus
• corse [archaic]
• relics
• remains
• stiff

Examples of corpse in a Sentence

a battlefield strewn with corpses

the startling discovery of a corpse required a call to the police

Recent Examples on the Web

One such elaborate woodblock print in the exhibition, made in 1861 by Utagawa Kunisada, shows the body of Oiwa pulled to the surface with a fishing hook and, by raising the flap, the body of a second corpse, a servant whose fingernails kept growing after his death. —Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

The third episode of Unsolved, which is streaming on Fox Nation, examines the brutal murder of Brian Egg, whose headless corpse was found inside a fish tank in his San Francisco home in 2018. —Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

Maxwell Anderson, 33, has since been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in Robinson's death. —Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024

Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in the case. —CBS News, 19 Apr. 2024

Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in the slaying of Sade Robinson, also of Milwaukee. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 19 Apr. 2024

Suspect faces homicide and mutilation charges On Friday, Wisconsin authorities charged Anderson with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson of property other than a building. —Zoe Sottile, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024

One day, Lockshin and his classmates marched across the cobblestones of Red Square to Vladimir Lenin’s tomb to pay tribute to the waxy corpse of the country’s most sacred personage. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Stines has been charged with first-degree hindering prosecution, concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cors, corps, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin corpus "body" — more at midriff

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing corpse

• corpse flower
• corpse plant
• corpse pose

Kids Definition

corpse

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rps 

: a dead body

Etymology

Middle English corps "human body," from early French corps (same meaning), from Latin corpus "body"

Medical Definition

corpse

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rps 

: a dead body especially of a human being