What does corporally mean?
"Corporally" is an adverb meaning in a bodily or physical manner — that is, in a way pertaining to the body rather than to the mind or spirit. It descends from the Latin "corpus" (body), the same root that gives us "corporal," "corporeal," "corps," and "corporation." Historically, the word appeared in legal, disciplinary, and religious contexts: statutes might permit a servant to be chastised corporally, and theologians distinguished fasting done corporally from fasting undertaken in spirit. Today it is distinctly rare, surviving mainly in older texts and formal registers; most modern writers would simply say "physically." Because it sounds so close to "corporeally" (relating to material substance) and "corporately" (as a unified group), it is easily confused with those terms, which makes knowing its precise sense genuinely useful when reading historical or legal prose.
adverbIn a bodily or physical manner; relating to the body rather than to the mind or spirit. The term is now rare and largely confined to historical, legal, or religious contexts.
- In a bodily or physical manner, especially as opposed to spiritually or mentally (now chiefly historical, legal, or theological).
"The offender was punished corporally under the old disciplinary code."
"The penitent was required to fast, not merely corporally but in spirit as well."
"Under the earlier statute, servants could be chastised corporally by their masters."
"Corporally" comes straight from the Latin "corpus" — the same root behind "corps," "corporation," and even a dead body's other name, the "corpse."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of corporally
"Corporally" derives from the Latin "corpus," meaning "body," via the Latin adjective "corporalis" (of the body). English borrowed the related noun "corporal" and formed the adverb "corporally" along familiar Latinate patterns, with the word established in English usage by around the early modern period. It shares its root with a wide family of words including "corporeal," "corps," "corpse," and "corporation."
Related word forms
How corporally is actually used
A rare, formal word today, encountered mostly in older legal texts, theology, and literature; modern writing usually prefers "physically" or "bodily." It carries a slightly archaic tone.
Easily confused with corporally
"Corporeally" relates more broadly to material or physical substance and existence, while "corporally" specifically concerns the body.
"Corporately" means as a united group or corporate body, whereas "corporally" means in a bodily or physical way.