Corps /(kōr, pl. kōrz)/

Corps

n. sing. & pl.
  1. The human body, whether living or dead. [Obs.]
    By what craft in my corps, it cometh [commences] and where.
    — Piers Plowman.
  2. A body of men; esp., an organized division of the military establishment; as, the marine corps; the corps of topographical engineers; specifically, an army corps.
    A corps operating with an army should consist of three divisions of the line, a brigade of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry.
    — Gen. Upton (U. S. Tactics. )
  3. A body or code of laws. [Obs.]
    The whole corps of the law.
  4. The land with which a prebend or other ecclesiastical office is endowed. (Eccl.) [Obs.]
    The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents have a corps.
  5. In some countries of Europe, a form of students' social society binding the members to strict adherence to certain student customs and its code of honor; -- Ger. spelling usually korps.

Phrases & Compounds

Army corps
a body containing two or more divisions of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself.
‖Corps de logis
the principal mass of a building, considered apart from its wings.
Corps diplomatique
the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a government.