[body] n, pl bod.ies [ME, fr. OE bodig; akin to OHG boteh corpse] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the main part of a plant or animal body esp. as distinguished from limbs and head: trunk b: the main, central, or principal part: as (1): the nave of a church (2): the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed (3): the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile
2. a: the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as (1): the material part or nature of a human being (2): the dead organism: corpse b: a human being: person 3 a: a mass of matter distinct from other masses "a ~ of water" "a celestial ~" b: something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing; also: a sensible object in physical space c: aggregate, quantity "a ~ of evidence"
4. a: the part of a garment covering the body or trunk b: the main part of a literary or journalistic work: text 2b c: the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument
5: a group of persons or things: as a: a fighting unit: force b: a group of individuals organized for some purpose "a legislative ~"
6. a: fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine) b: viscosity, consistency--used esp. of oils and grease c: compactness or firmness of texture d: fullness or resonance of a musical tone
[2]body vt bod.ied ; body.ing (15c) 1: to give form or shape to: embody
2: represent, symbolize--usu. used with forth