Corpse (kôrps), n. [OF.
cors (sometimes written corps), F. corps,
L. corpus; akin to AS. hrif womb. See
Midriff, and cf. Corse, Corselet,
Corps, Cuerpo.] 1. A human
body in general, whether living or dead; -- sometimes
contemptuously. [Obs.]
☞ Formerly written (after the French form) corps.
See Corps, n., 1.
2. The dead body of a human being; --
used also Fig.
He touched the dead corpse of Public
Credit, and it sprung upon its feet.
D. Webster.
Corpse candle. (a) A
thick candle formerly used at a lich wake, or the customary
watching with a corpse on the night before its interment.
(b) A luminous appearance, resembling the flame
of a candle, sometimes seen in churchyards and other damp places,
superstitiously regarded as portending death. --
Corpse gate, the gate of a burial place
through which the dead are carried, often having a covered porch;
-- called also lich gate.