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corporal1

Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːp(ə)r(ə)l/

Translate corporal | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of corporal

noun

1a rank of non-commissioned officer in the army, above lance corporal or private first class and below sergeant.

2 (also ship's corporal) British historical a petty officer who attended solely to police matters, under the master-at-arms.

3North American term for fallfish.

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French, obsolete variant of caporal, from Italian caporale, probably based on Latin corpus, corpor- 'body (of troops)', with a change of spelling in Italian due to association with capo 'head'