ˈbɔdɪ n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1
the physical structure, including the bones,
flesh,
and organs, of a
person or an
animal,
whether dead or
alive. 2 the
trunk apart from the
head and the limbs. 3 a the main or
central part of a
thing (body of the
car; body of the attack). b the
bulk or
majority; the
aggregate (body of opinion). 4 a a
group of persons regarded collectively,
esp. as having a
corporate function (governing body). b (usu. foll. by of) a
collection (body of facts). 5 a
quantity (body of water). 6 a
piece of
matter (heavenly body). 7 colloq. a person. 8 a full or
substantial quality of
flavour,
tone,
etc., e.g. in
wine,
musical sounds, etc. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) (usu. foll. by forth)
give body or
substance to. øbody-blow a
severe setback. body-building the
practice of strengthening the body, esp. shaping and enlarging the muscles, by
exercise. body-colour an
opaque pigment. body
language the process of communicating
through conscious or
unconscious gestures and poses. body-line
bowling Cricket
persistent fast bowling on the
leg side threatening the batsman's body. body
odour the
smell of the
human body, esp.
when unpleasant. body
politic the
nation or
State as a corporate body. body
scanner a scanning
X-ray machine for taking tomograms of the
whole body. body
shop a
workshop where repairs to the
bodywork of vehicles are carried
out. body
stocking a woman's
undergarment, usually
made of knitted
nylon,
which covers the
torso. body warmer a sleeveless quilted or padded
jacket worn as an
outdoor garment. in a body
all together.
keep body and
soul together keep alive, esp.
barely.
over my dead body colloq.
entirely without my
assent. øø-bodied adj. (in comb.) (able-bodied). [OE bodig, of unkn. orig.]