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Officer vs Corporal - What's the difference?

officer | corporal |

As nouns the difference between officer and corporal

is that officer is (one who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization)One who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization, especially in military, police or government organizations while corporal is a non-commissioned officer army rank with NATO code OR-4. The rank below a sergeant but above a lance corporal and private.

As a verb officer

is to supply with officers.

As an adjective corporal is

having a physical, tangible body; corporeal.

officer

English

(wikipedia officer)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (senseid)One who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization, especially in military, police or government organizations.
  • * , chapter=19
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.}}
  • (senseid)One who holds a public office.
  • (senseid)An agent or servant imparted with the ability, to some degree, to act on initiative.
  • (senseid)(colloquial, military) A commissioned officer.

    • Derived terms

    * non-commissioned officer

    Related terms

    * office * official * officiate

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To supply with officers .
  • To command like an officer .

    • Synonyms

    * direct * conduct * manage

    Related terms

    * CO * NCO ----

    corporal

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) corporal (French corporel), from (etyl) ; compare corporeal.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (archaic) Having a physical, tangible body; corporeal.
  • * 1603-06 , Macbeth: Ac.1 Sc3, Wm. Shakespeare.
    • Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted as breath into the wind.
  • Of or pertaining to the body, especially the human body.
    • Synonyms
    * bodily * corporeal
    Derived terms
    * corporality * corporal punishment

    Etymology 2

    Corrupted from the (etyl) caporal, from the (etyl) caporale, from .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (military) A non-commissioned officer army rank with NATO code . The rank below a sergeant but above a lance corporal and private.
  • A non-commissioned officer rank in the police force, below a sergeant but above a private or patrolman.
    • Derived terms
    * corporal's guard * lance corporal * ship's corporal

    Etymology 3

    From the (etyl) corporale, the neuter of corporalis representing the doctrine of transubstantiation in which the Eucharist becomes the body of Christ.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (ecclesiastical) The white linen cloth on which the elements of the Eucharist are placed; a communion cloth.
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * corporal oath