corporal
Definitions
Relating to the human body, especially as the object of punishment
肉体的，身体的（尤指作为惩罚对象）
A military rank below sergeant
下士（军衔，低于中士）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcorpor (body) + -al (relating to) = 'of the body.' The adjective survives mostly in 'corporal punishment' — punishment inflicted on the body (caning, spanking). The army-rank 'corporal' looks the same but reaches English by a separate route (via Italian capo, 'head'), so treat the two as unrelated homonyms.
Root corp still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
Two corporals, two origins. The adjective 'corporal' (of the body) comes from corpus and lives in 'corporal punishment.' The noun 'corporal' (army rank) traces to Italian capo 'head' — the head of a small group — and only later got spelled to match. Same look, unrelated histories.
Common Collocations
- 1.corporal punishment体罚
Example Sentences
- 1.
Many countries have banned corporal punishment in schools.
- 2.
The corporal led his squad across the bridge.
Easily Confused
corporal vs corporeal — corporal = bodily, almost always in 'corporal punishment.' corporeal = having physical substance, tangible (as opposed to spiritual): 'a ghost has no corporeal form.' Punishment → corporal; physical existence → corporeal.