body

The definition of a body is the physical part of a living thing or the main part of anything.

(noun)

  1. An example of a body is the human frame.
  2. An example of a body is the outside of a car.

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See body in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. bodies

  1. the whole physical structure and substance of a human being, animal, or plant
    1. the trunk or torso of a human being or animal
    2. the part of a garment that covers the trunk
  2. a dead person; corpse
  3. the flesh or material substance, as opposed to the spirit
  4. Informal a human being; person
  5. a group of people or things regarded or functioning as a unit: a body of soldiers, an advisory body
  6. the majority of a number of people or things
  7. the main or central part of anything; specif.,
    1. the part of an automobile, truck, etc. that holds the load or passengers; the part of a vehicle that is not the chassis
    2. the hull of a ship
    3. the fuselage of an aircraft
    4. the main part of a piece of writing as distinguished from headings and introductory or supplementary matter
    5. the sound box of a stringed instrument
  8. anything having real or material substance or form; any physical or perceptible object
  9. any of the natural objects seen in the visible heavens: the sun, moon, planets, stars, etc. are celestial bodies
  10. a separate portion or mass of matter: a body of land or water
  11. substance, density, or consistency, as of a liquid or fabric
  12. richness or fullness of tone or flavor
  13. Law a person or something legally regarded as a person
  14. Printing the shank of a piece of type

Origin: ME bodi, bodig < OE bodig, trunk, chest, orig. sense “cask,” akin to MLowG boddike, tub for brewing, OHG botah; prob. < It bottega, shop < L apotheca: see apothecary

transitive verb bodied, bodying

  1. to give a body or substance to; make substantial
  2. to make part of; embody

See body in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. bod·ies
  1. a. The entire material or physical structure of an organism, especially of a human or animal.
    b. The physical part of a person.
    c. A corpse or carcass.
  2. a. The trunk or torso of a human or animal.
    b. The part of a garment covering the torso.
  3. a. A human; a person.
    b. A group of individuals regarded as an entity; a corporation.
  4. A number of persons, concepts, or things regarded as a group: We walked out in a body.
  5. The main or central part, as:
    a. Anatomy The largest or principal part of an organ; corpus.
    b. The nave of a church.
    c. The content of a book or document exclusive of prefatory matter, codicils, indexes, or appendixes.
    d. The passenger- and cargo-carrying part of an aircraft, ship, or other vehicle.
    e. Music The sound box of an instrument.
  6. A mass of matter that is distinct from other masses: a body of water; a celestial body.
  7. A collection or quantity, as of material or information: the body of evidence.
  8. Consistency of substance, as in paint, textiles, or wine: a sauce with body.
  9. Printing The part of a block of type underlying the impression surface.
transitive verb bod·ied, bod·y·ing, bod·ies
  1. To furnish with a body.
  2. To give shape to. Usually used with forth: “Imagination bodies forth the forms of things unknown” (Shakespeare).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bodi

Origin: , from Old English bodig

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