Corpulence

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɔː(ɹ)pjʊləns/

Definitions

1. A state of being excessively fat or obese, characterized by an abnormally large and heavy body
2. The condition of being severely overweight or having an excessive amount of body fat typically associated with health risks
3. A physical state marked by significant body mass and fat accumulation that often leads to health concerns

Etymology: Corpulence comes from the Latin "corpulentia," a noun built from "corpulentus," meaning "fleshy" or "stout." That adjective is itself built on "corpus," "body," so the word's core idea is simply having a lot of body. Latin "corpus" is one of the most productive roots in English, behind words like "corpse," "corporal," and "corporation," though those each took their own separate paths. The word reached English through Old French "corpulence," which carried the Latin sense of bodily bulk into the language. Its meaning has stayed fairly steady, describing a large, heavy build, though the sense has narrowed over time to a more clinical or formal tone than everyday words for being fat.

Synonyms: obesity, overweight, fatness, bulkiness, portliness

Antonyms: slimness, thinness, leanness, scrawniness, underweight