corporal

Everyday

1. A corporal is a soldier with a low rank, above a private, who is in charge of a small group of soldiers. tree →
2. (formal) Corporal (adjective) means to do with the body. tree →

In the lessons

In history and war stories, corporals lead small groups of soldiers. The adjective mostly appears in «corporal punishment»: punishing someone by hitting them, which used to happen in schools and is now banned in schools in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and most of Australia, and in many US states. Phrases: «Corporal Smith» (as a title), «corporal punishment».

Examples

• Corporal Jones led his section across the field. tree →
• A corporal is in charge of a few soldiers. tree →
• In Victorian schools, corporal punishment with a cane was common. tree →
• Corporal punishment is not allowed in schools in the UK. tree →
• The private saluted the corporal. tree →
• My great-grandad was a corporal in the war. tree →

Note

As a title it takes a capital: Corporal Lee. Not to be confused with «corporate» (to do with companies) or «corporeal» (having a body, not a spirit). Corporal punishment means hitting, not other punishments like detention.