*corps*

n. [ OF. cors (sometimes written corps), F. corps, L. corpus; akin to AS. hrif womb. See Midriff, and cf. Corse, Corselet, Corps, Cuerpo. ] 1. A human body in general, whether living or dead; -- sometimes contemptuously. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Formerly written (after the French form) corps. See Corps, n., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The dead body of a human being; -- used also Fig. [ 1913 Webster ]

He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit, and it sprung upon its feet. D. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

Corpse candle. (a) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (a) In the United States army, the a corps of officers and enlisted men consisting of one band and three battalions of engineers commanded by a brigadier general, whose title is Chief of Engineers. It has charge of the construction of fortifications for land and seacoast defense, the improvement of rivers and harbors, the construction of lighthouses, etc., and, in time of war, supervises the engineering operations of the armies in the field. (b) In the United States navy, a corps made up of the engineers, which was amalgamated with the line by act of March 3, 1899. It consisted of assistant and passed assistant engineers, ranking with ensigns and lieutenants, chief engineers, ranking from lieutenant to captain, and engineer in chief, ranking with commodore and having charge of the Bureau of Steam Engineering. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. To incorporate. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]