Corpse candle

Corpse candle
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.] [1913 Webster]

Note: Formerly written (after the French form) corps. See {Corps}, n., 1. [1913 Webster]

2. The dead body of a human being; -- used also Fig. [1913 Webster]

He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit, and it sprung upon its feet. --D. Webster. [1913 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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • corpse candle — noun : a luminous appearance resembling the flame of a candle sometimes seen in churchyards and thought to presage someone s death * * * corpse candle noun A light seen hovering over a grave, an omen of death • • • Main Entry: ↑corpse * * *… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Corpse Candle — (Corps Can del) Variations: Brünnlig, Buchelmännle, Corpse Sans Âme, Dichepot, Draulicht, Dröglicht, Druckfackel, Dwallicht, Dwerlicht, Earthlights, Erlwischen, FEU FOLLET ( Foolish Fire ), Flackerfür, Flämmstirn, Follet, Friar s Lantern, Fuchtel …   Encyclopedia of vampire mythology

  • corpse candle — noun a flickering flame seen just above the ground in a churchyard, regarded as an omen of death …   English new terms dictionary

  • corpse-candle — …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Corpse road — Corpse roads provided a practical means for transporting corpses, often from remote communities, to cemeteries that had burial rights, such as parish churches and chapels of ease.[1] In Britain, such routes can also be known by a number of other… …   Wikipedia

  • corpse — 1540s, variant spelling of CORPS (Cf. corps) (q.v.). The p originally was silent, as in French, and with some speakers still is. The terminal e was rare before 19c. Corpse candle is attested from 1690s …   Etymology dictionary

  • corpse light — noun see corpse plant * * * corpse light, = corpse candle. (Cf. ↑corpse candle) …   Useful english dictionary

  • candle — Synonyms and related words: ASA scale, Agnus Dei, British candle, Hefner candle, Holy Grail, Host, Pieta, Sanctus bell, Sangraal, Scheiner scale, ark, asperger, asperges, aspergillum, bambino, bayberry candle, beadroll, beads, bougie, bougie… …   Moby Thesaurus

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”