noun pl. bodies bod′·ies

1. the whole physical structure and substance of a human being, animal, or plant
2. 1. the trunk or torso of a human being or animal
   2. the part of a garment that covers the trunk
3. a dead person; corpse
4. the flesh or material substance, as opposed to the spirit
5. Informal a human being; person
6. a group of people or things regarded or functioning as a unit a body of soldiers, an advisory body
7. the majority of a number of people or things
8. 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
9. anything having real or material substance or form; any physical or perceptible object
10. any of the natural objects seen in the visible heavens the sun, moon, planets, stars, etc. are celestial bodies
11. a separate portion or mass of matter a body of land or water
12. substance, density, or consistency, as of a liquid or fabric
13. richness or fullness of tone or flavor
14. Law a person or something legally regarded as a person
15. Printing the shank of a piece of type

Etymology: 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 bod′·ied, bodying bod′y·ing

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