corpus delicti

cor·pus de·lic·ti

noun \ˈkȯr-pəs-di-ˈlik-ˌtī, -(ˌ)tē\

plural corpora delicti

Definition of CORPUS DELICTI

1

: the substantial and fundamental fact necessary to prove the commission of a crime

2

: the material substance (as the body of the victim of a murder) upon which a crime has been committed

Origin of CORPUS DELICTI

New Latin, literally, body of the crime

First Known Use: 1818

Rhymes with CORPUS DELICTI

a fortiori, deacidify, dehumidify, ex hypothesi, modus vivendi, nolle prosequi, oversimplify