Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Corpse
Corpse
(kôrps)
, Noun.
1.
A human body in general, whether living or dead; – sometimes contemptuously.
[Obs.]
☞ Formerly written (after the French form) corps. See , 1.
Corps
, Noun.
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.
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
.Webster 1828 Edition
Corpse
CORPSE
,Noun.