I. ˈkȯ(ə)rps, -ȯ(ə)ps noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English corps, from Middle French, from Latin corpus — more at midriff
1. obsolete : a human or animal body whether living or dead
2.
a. : a dead body especially of a human being
b. : something that has been forgotten or discarded or that is no longer active, vital, or effective
it was an awful thing to look at the corpse of a city … that once had been so beautiful and gay — National Geographic
3. obsolete : the main portion or substance : the collective whole : body
one … uniform corpse of law — Francis Bacon
4. : an endowment belonging to a prebend or other ecclesiastical office
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. dialect Britain : kill
2. : to confuse (an actor) in performance : spoil (an actor's speech or a scene) by cutting in or by blundering