body

I. noun (plural bodies) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bodig; akin to Old High German boteh corpse Date: before 12th century 1. a. the main part of a plant or animal body especially as distinguished from limbs and head ; trunk b. the main, central, or principal part: as (1) the nave of a church (2) the bed or box of a vehicle on or in which the load is placed (3) the enclosed or partly enclosed part of an automobile 2. a. the organized physical substance of an animal or plant either living or dead: as (1) the material part or nature of a human being (2) a dead organism ; corpse b. a human being ; person 3. a. a mass of matter distinct from other masses <

a body of water

> <

a celestial body

> b. something that embodies or gives concrete reality to a thing; also a sensible object in physical space c. aggregate, quantity <

a body of evidence

> 4. a. the part of a garment covering the body or trunk b. the main part of a literary or journalistic work ; text 2b c. the sound box or pipe of a musical instrument 5. a group of persons or things: as a. a fighting unit ; force b. a group of individuals organized for some purpose <

a legislative body

> 6. a. fullness and richness of flavor (as of wine) b. viscosity, consistency — used especially of oils and grease c. denseness, fullness, or firmness of texture <

hair that lacks body and shine

> d. fullness or resonance of a musical tone II. transitive verb (bodied; bodying) Date: 15th century 1. to give form or shape to ; embody 2. represent, symbolize — usually used with forth