corpse

American  

[kawrps] / kɔrps /

noun

1. a dead body, usually of a human being.

   Synonyms:

   cadaver

2. something no longer useful or viable.

   rusting corpses of old cars.

3. Obsolete. a human or animal body, whether alive or dead.

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corpse British  

/ kɔːps /

noun

1. a dead body, esp of a human being; cadaver

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verb

1. slang theatre to laugh or cause to laugh involuntarily or inopportunely while on stage

Related Words

See body.

Etymology

Origin of corpse

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English corps; originally spelling variant of cors ( corse ) but the p is now sounded

Example Sentences

They seem to be lowering Christ’s corpse, which is thrust forward from the picture plane, onto the altar below the painting.

From The Wall Street Journal

The other hostages look to Ernest for answers when a corpse turns up on bank property.

From The Wall Street Journal

A hearse driver lost his argument that the corpse in back was a passenger.

From Los Angeles Times

If Wolf hadn’t warned him, he would have touched the corpse -and to touch the dead is to risk terrible danger.

From Literature

No images have been released in public of his corpse and a state funeral that was supposed to have been held earlier this month has been postponed indefinitely.

From Barron's

Related Words

• body
• cadaver
• carcass
• remains