n. sing. & pl. [ F., fr. L. corpus body. See Corpse. ] 1. The human body, whether living or dead. [ Obs. ] See Corpse, 1. [ 1913 Webster ] By what craft in my corps, it cometh [ commences ] and where. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. ) [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A body or code of laws. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The whole corps of the law. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Eccl.) The land with which a prebend or other ecclesiastical office is endowed. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents have a corps. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] 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'armée /mcol>, a body containing two or more divisions of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself. --
‖Corps de logis ety>[ F., body of the house ], the principal mass of a building, considered apart from its wings. --
Corps diplomatique ety>[ F., diplomatic body ], the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a government. [ 1913 Webster ]
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