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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Corpse gate

Corpse \Corpse\ (k[^o]rps), 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.]

    Note: 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.

    1. A thick candle formerly used at a lich wake, or the customary watching with a corpse on the night before its interment.

    2. 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.