What is "army corps"

Corps \Corps\ (k[=o]r, pl. k[=o]rz), n. sing. & pl. [F., fr. L. corpus body. See Corpse.]

1. The human body, whether living or dead. [Obs.] See Corpse, 1.

   By what craft in my corps, it cometh [commences] and where.
   --Piers Plowman.

2. A body of men; esp., an organized division of the military establishment; as, the marine corps; the corps of topographical engineers; specifically, an army corps.

   A corps operating with an army should consist of three divisions of the line, a brigade of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry.
   --Gen. Upton (U. S. Tactics. )

3. A body or code of laws. [Obs.]

   The whole corps of the law.
   --Bacon.

4. (Eccl.) The land with which a prebend or other ecclesiastical office is endowed. [Obs.]

   The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents have a corps.
   --Bacon.

5. [Ger.] In some countries of Europe, a form of students' social society binding the members to strict adherence to certain student customs and its code of honor; -- Ger. spelling usually korps.

   Army corps, or (French) Corps d'arm['e]e (k[-o]r` d[aum]r`m[asl]"), a body containing two or more divisions of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself.

   Corps de logis (k[-o]r` de l[-o]`zh[-e]") [F., body of the house], the principal mass of a building, considered apart from its wings.

   Corps diplomatique (k?r d?`pl?`m?-t?k") [F., diplomatic body], the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a government.