corpse

[ kawrps ]

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.

corpse

/ kɔːps /

noun

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

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of corpse¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of corpse¹

C14: from Old French corps body, from Latin corpus body

Synonym Study

See body.

Example Sentences

It shows a corpse whose head and arms have been severed, and the stomach cut open.

From BBC

On his 100th birthday, Colin meets his gassy death before being reborn as a baby that burst from the abdomen of his corpse.

From Los Angeles Times

The corpse however remained in situ due to suspected booby traps and instead, part of a finger was removed and sent to Israel for testing.

From BBC

It has a pantomime theatricality to it, featuring shots of the audience and including moments when the actors corpse - a term used to describe breaking character and laughing - and ad-lib on stage.

From BBC

Only one charge involved an abortion-specific crime under a now-repealed statute, and the remaining included criminal homicide, drug charges, and one charge of "abuse of a corpse."

From Salon

Related Words

• body
• cadaver
• carcass
• remains