GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Corpse , n. [OF.  cors (sometimes written corps), F.  corps, L.  corpus; akin to AS.  hrif womb. See Midriff, and cf. Corse, Corselet, Corps, Cuerpo.]
   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
   The dead body of a human being; -- used also Fig.
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   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