corps

Etymology 1

From French corps d’armée (literally “army body”), from Latin corpus (“body”). Doublet of corpse and corpus. See also English riff.

noun

1. (military) A battlefield formation composed of two or more divisions.
2. An organized group of people united by a common purpose.
   diplomatic corps
   White House press corps

Etymology 2

Clipping.

noun

1. plural of corp

Etymology 3

noun

1. Obsolete spelling of corpse.
   How to keep the corps ſeven dayes from corruption by anointing and waſhing, without exenteration, were an hazardable peece of art, in our choiſeſt practiſe. 1658, Thomas Browne, Hydriotaphia, Urne-Buriall, or, A Discourse of the Sepulchrall Urnes Lately Found in Norfolk[…], London: […] Hen. Brome[…], page 16
   Did I poſſeſs the power of reſuſcitation, I would reanimate thy lifeleſs corps, and cheriſh thee in the warmeſt corner of thy favourite dwelling-place. 1788, Vicesimus Knox], Winter Evenings: or, Lucubrations on Life and Letters, volume II, Dublin: […] Messrs. Chamberlaine, Moncrieffe, White,[…], page 70
   The women looked like dead bodies; and never did I see such a sepulchral appearance as their dress and colourless faces exhibited, they were all dressed alike in drab gowns, white neck kerchiefs, and a cap fitting close over their ears, and fastened under the chin, the same sort as are placed on a corps. 1818, John Palmer, Journal of Travels in the United States of North America, and in Lower Canada, Performed in the Year 1817:[…], London: […] Sherwood, Neely, and Jones,[…], page 92