Corporal \Cor"po*ral\ (k[^o]r"p[-o]*ral), n. [Corrupted fr. F. caporal, It. caporale, fr. capo head, chief, L. caput. See Chief, and cf. Caporal.]

(Mil.) A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the United States army he is the lowest noncommissioned officer in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Corporal \Cor"po*ral\ (k[^o]r"p[-o]*ral), Corporale \Cor`po*ra"le\ (-r?"l?), n. [LL. corporale: cf. F. corporal. See Corporal,a.]

A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Corporal \Cor"po*ral\, a. [L. corporalis, fr. corpus body. See Corpse.]

1. Belonging or relating to the body; bodily. ``Past corporal toil.'' --Shak.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)