Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Corporal \Cor"po*ral\ (k[^o]r"p[-o]*ral), n. [Corrupted fr. F.
   caporal, It. caporale, fr. capo head, chief, L. caput. See
   {Chief}, and cf. {Caporal}.] (Mil.)
   A noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant. In the
   United States army he is the lowest noncommissioned officer
   in a company of infantry. He places and relieves sentinels.

   {Corporal's guard}, a detachment such as would be in charge
      of a corporal for guard duty, etc.; hence, derisively, a
      very small number of persons.

   {Lance corporal}, an assistant corporal on private's pay.
      --Farrow.

   {Ship's corporal} (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the
      master at arms in his various duties.

Corporal \Cor"po*ral\ (k[^o]r"p[-o]*ral), Corporale
\Cor`po*ra"le\ (-r?"l?), n. [LL. corporale: cf. F. corporal. See
   {Corporal},a.]
   A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are
   consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered;
   a communion cloth.

   {Corporal oath}, a solemn oath; -- so called from the fact
      that it was the ancient usage for the party taking it to
      touch the corporal, or cloth that covered the consecrated
      elements.

Corporal \Cor"po*ral\, a. [L. corporalis, fr. corpus body. See
   {Corpse}.]
   1. Belonging or relating to the body; bodily. ``Past corporal
      toil.'' --Shak.

            Pillories and other corporal infections. --Milton.

   {Corporal punishment} (law), punishment applied to the body
      of the offender, including the death penalty, whipping,
      and imprisonment.

   2. Having a body or substance; not spiritual; material. In
      this sense now usually written corporeal. --Milton.

            A corporal heaven . . . .where the stare are.
                                                  --Latimer.

            What seemed corporal melted As breath into the wind.
                                                  --Shak.

   Syn: {Corporal}, {Bodily}, {Corporeal}.

   Usage: Bodily is opposed to mental; as, bodily affections.
          Corporeal refers to the whole physical structure or
          nature, of the body; as, corporeal substance or frame.
          Corporal, as now used, refers more to punishment or
          some infliction; as, corporal punishment. To speak of
          corporeal punishment is an error. Bodily austerities;
          the corporeal mold.

Source : WordNet®

corporal
     adj 1: affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the
            mind or spirit; "bodily needs"; "a corporal defect";
            "corporeal suffering"; "a somatic symptom or somatic
            illness" [syn: {bodily}, {corporeal}, {somatic}]
     2: possessing or existing in bodily form; "what seemed corporal
        melted as breath into the wind"- Shakespeare; "an
        incarnate spirit"; "`corporate' is an archaic term" [syn:
        {bodied}, {corporate}, {embodied}, {incarnate}]
     n : a noncommissioned officer in the army or airforce or marines