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Corpus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a collection of written texts; a body

Where does the word "corpus" come from? It comes from Latin corpus, adopted directly into English (1720s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
corpus
Latin · ancient
"body"
body, the root of 'corpse', 'corporal' and 'corporation'
2
Stage 2 of 2
corpus
English · 1720s
"collection of texts"
used for a whole body of writings; 'corpus delicti', the body of a crime, entered English law
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Read the full story

Corpus’s story begins in Latin: corpus meant “body.” Body, the root of 'corpse', 'corporal' and 'corporation'. It reached English by 1720s as corpus. Used for a whole body of writings; 'corpus delicti', the body of a crime, entered English law. Today, corpus means a collection of written texts; a body.