corpus delicti

[ kawr-puhs di-lik-tahy ]

noun

, Law.

, plural cor·po·ra de·lic·ti [kawr, -per-, uh, di-, lik, -tahy].

1. the basic element or elements of a crime, as, in murder, the death of the murdered person; the body of facts or evidence showing that a crime has been committed.
2. the object, as the body of a murdered person, upon which a crime has been committed and that serves as evidence proving that the crime was committed.

corpus delicti

/ dɪˈlɪktaɪ /

noun

1. law the body of facts that constitute an offence

Word History and Origins

Origin of corpus delicti¹

1825–35; < New Latin: “body of the offense”

Word History and Origins

Origin of corpus delicti¹

New Latin, literally: the body of the crime

Example Sentences

Today it was about whether—in the case of homicide—the corpus delicti is the knife or the dead man whose death is the actual proof of the crime.

From Literature

Now, I read from Best on Presumptions, page 279: "The corpus delicti, the body of an offence, is the fact of its actually having been committed."

From Project Gutenberg

But, O wonder upon wonder! the corpus delicti was in very deed transformed into the fairest blooming roses; the rolls had changed to white roses, the sausages to red, the omelets to yellow ones!

From Project Gutenberg

The commonest method is the complete destruction of the corpse—the corpus delicti.

From Project Gutenberg

If Hallard could open the penitentiary, why not the grave in which a corpus delicti had been hastily hidden?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• carcass
• dead body
• remains