/kawr"peuhs/ , n. , pl. corpora /-peuhr euh/ for 1-3, 5, corpuses for 4.
1. a large or complete collection of writings: the entire corpus of Old English poetry.
2. the body of a person or animal, esp. when dead.
3. Anat. a body, mass, or part having a special character or function.
4. Ling. a body of utterances, as words or sentences, assumed to be representative of and used for lexical, grammatical, or other linguistic analysis.
5. a principal or capital sum, as opposed to interest or income.
[ 1225-75; ME ]