I. ˈbä-dē noun
( plural bod·ies )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bodig; akin to Old High German boteh corpse
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the main part of a plant or animal body especially 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) : a dead organism : corpse
b. : a human being : person
3.
a. : a mass of matter distinct from other masses
a body of water
a celestial body
b. : something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing ; also : a sensible object in physical space
c. : aggregate , quantity
a body 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 body
6.
a. : fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine)
b. : viscosity , consistency — used especially of oils and grease
c. : denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture
hair that lacks body and shine
d. : fullness or resonance of a musical tone
II. transitive verb
( bod·ied ; body·ing )
Date: 15th century
1. : to give form or shape to : embody
2. : represent , symbolize — usually used with forth