01 n. A human body in general, whether living or dead; -- sometimes contemptuously.
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1.
A human body in general, whether living or dead; -- sometimes contemptuously.[Obs.]
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2.
The dead body of a human being; -- used also Fig.“He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit, and it sprung upon its feet.” — D. Webster.
Phrases & compounds
Corpse candle —
A thick candle formerly used at a lich wake, or the customary watching with a corpse on the night before its interment. (b) A luminous appearance, resembling the flame of a candle, sometimes seen in churchyards and other damp places, superstitiously regarded as portending death.
Corpse gate —
the gate of a burial place through which the dead are carried, often having a covered porch; -- called also lich gate.