{Corporal's guard}, a detachment such as would be in charge
of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a
very small number of persons.
{Lance corporal}, an assistant corporal on private's pay.
--Farrow.
{Ship's corporal} (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the
master at arms in his various duties.
{Corporal oath}, a solemn oath; -- so called from the fact
that it was the ancient usage for the party taking it to
touch the corporal, or cloth that covered the consecrated
elements.
Pillories and other corporal infections. --Milton.
{Corporal punishment} (law), punishment applied to the body
of the offender, including the death penalty, whipping,
and imprisonment.
2. Having a body or substance; not spiritual; material. In
this sense now usually written corporeal. --Milton.
A corporal heaven . . . .where the stare are.
--Latimer.
What seemed corporal melted As breath into the wind.
--Shak.
Syn: {Corporal}, {Bodily}, {Corporeal}.
Usage: Bodily is opposed to mental; as, bodily affections.
Corporeal refers to the whole physical structure or
nature, of the body; as, corporeal substance or frame.
Corporal, as now used, refers more to punishment or
some infliction; as, corporal punishment. To speak of
corporeal punishment is an error. Bodily austerities;
the corporeal mold.