Corps

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kɔː/

Definitions

1. A structured assembly of individuals united for a common aim may represent a military division, a professional team, or a service organization This term encapsulates those working collaboratively towards shared objectives, often under formal leadership It can also indicate a specific branch or sector within a larger organization, emphasizing teamwork and organization
2. An organized collective of individuals focused on achieving a specific goal can signify various group types, including military units and professional organizations This concept embodies cooperation among members working together in pursuit of common interests and can refer to distinct divisions with particular functions It may also highlight the idea of serving the public or a shared mission through coordinated efforts
3. A military unit or branch within an armed force ; a team of people organized to accomplish shared objectives

Etymology: The word "corps" carries the same Latin "corpus" that gave English "corpse," and the two are doublets, meaning they split apart in English after entering by different routes. "Corpus" simply meant "body," and the French kept it as "corps," which has a long run as a general word for a body, but the sense that matters here comes from the military phrase "corps d'armée," literally "army body." A large division of troops was thought of as one organized body, and the phrase was shortened over time. English took the military sense from French, and the word kept the same clipped shape. From "army body" the idea spread outward: any group of people organized and working together could be called a corps, so a medical team, a diplomatic staff, or a volunteer group now carries the same label. The word's meaning therefore moved from the anatomy of a living body to the organization of many people acting as one.

Synonyms: group, unit, division

Antonyms: individual