body
body
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "body" is /ˈbɒdi/.
bod-: /bɒd/
-y: /i/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: body
Plural Noun: bodies
Possessive Singular: body's
Possessive Plural: bodies'
Verb (transitive): body (less common, usually means to give a body to, or embody)
Third-person singular present (verb): bodies
Present participle (verb): bodying
Past tense (verb): bodied
Past participle (verb): bodied
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The entire physical structure of a human being or an animal, including all its parts such as bones, flesh, and organs.
Synonyms: physique, form, build, figure, frame
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "spirit" or "mind" are often contrasted but not true antonyms for the physical structure)
Definition: The main or central part of something, distinct from its extremities or attachments. This can refer to an object, a text, or an organization.
Synonyms: core, main part, bulk, trunk (for a tree or vehicle), framework
Antonyms: periphery, extremities, appendage, attachment
Definition: A group of people regarded as a single unit, especially for an official purpose or function.
Synonyms: organization, association, committee, group, collective, entity
Antonyms: individual, sole person
Definition: A significant amount or collection of something, often referring to a body of evidence, work, or water.
Synonyms: collection, mass, quantity, volume, reservoir (for water)
Antonyms: scarcity, dearth, paucity, lack, trickle (for water)
Definition: The characteristic fullness, texture, or consistency of a liquid or material, such as wine, hair, or fabric.
Synonyms: texture, consistency, richness, substance, fullness, viscosity
Antonyms: thinness, flatness, lack of substance, weakness
Verb
Definition: (Transitive, often archaic or poetic) To give concrete form or substance to something; to embody.
Synonyms: embody, materialize, personify, incarnate
Antonyms: disembody, abstract, de-emphasize, dematerialize
Examples of Use
Books:
"His body ached from the long journey, but his spirit was unyielding." (General literature, common theme of physical exertion)
"The detective meticulously examined the body of evidence, searching for a crucial clue." (Crime fiction, referring to a collection of facts)
"She felt her whole body flush with embarrassment as she tripped on the stairs." (Romance novel, describing a physical reaction)
"The body of the novel, while slow at first, developed into a compelling narrative." (Literary criticism, referring to the main part of a book)
Newspapers:
"Police recovered the body of the missing hiker near the summit." (Daily Nation, referring to a deceased person)
"The UN Security Council is a vital body for maintaining international peace and security." (The New York Times, referring to an organization)
"Experts debated the scientific consensus on climate change, citing a vast body of research." (The Guardian, referring to a collection of data)
Online Publications:
"To maintain a healthy body, regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential." (Health and wellness blog, e.g., WebMD.com, referring to the physical self)
"The official press release clarified that the new regulations would go through several governing bodies for approval." (Government news site, e.g., Gov.uk, referring to official organizations)
"The article provided a comprehensive body of information on the latest technological advancements." (TechCrunch, referring to a collection of data/knowledge)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The protagonist, a trained assassin, moved his body with fluid precision during the fight scene." (John Wick, describing physical movement)
Television Series: "The forensics team worked tirelessly on the body found at the crime scene, searching for clues." (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, referring to a deceased person)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Every little thing she does is magic, makes my body sway." (The Police, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," referring to the physical self)
Video Games: "Players must navigate their character's body through treacherous terrain, avoiding traps and enemies." (Tomb Raider, referring to the playable character's physical form)
Social Media (e.g., Instagram caption): "Beach day vibes! Loving the sun on my body." (User post, referring to the physical self)
Podcast: "Our guest today will discuss the future of artificial intelligence and how it might impact the human body." (Science podcast, discussing the physical self)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to get my body moving; I've been sitting too long." (Casual conversation, referring to the physical self and exercise)
"They found a strange body floating in the river." (Discussion of an unusual object, referring to an unidentified object)
"The student body voted overwhelmingly for the new campus initiative." (Discussion about a group of people, referring to a collective of students)
"This wine has a good body to it, not too thin." (Conversation about wine, referring to its consistency/fullness)
10 Famous Quotes Using Body
"The body achieves what the mind believes." (Napoleon Hill)
"A healthy mind in a healthy body." (Latin Proverb, Mens sana in corpore sano)
"No body can be healthful without exercise." (Aristotle)
"The body is the temple of the soul." (Various religious and philosophical texts, often attributed to the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." (Often attributed to Pablo Picasso, a metaphorical quote where "soul" implies the internal self contrasted with the external "body" or daily grind)
"Keep your body healthy, it's the only place you have to live." (Jim Rohn)
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." (Often attributed to Albert Einstein, a metaphorical quote, contrasting the physical brain/body's capacity for memory with the mind's creative power)
"My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story." (Johnny Depp)
"The body is a unit, but it has many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body." (The Bible, 1 Corinthians 12:12)
"The human body is the best picture of the human soul." (Ludwig Wittgenstein)
Etymology
The word "body" has a pretty ancient history! It goes way back to Old English, which is the earliest form of the English language spoken from about the 5th to the 11th centuries.
In Old English, the word was "bodig." The first known use of "bodig" referred to the "trunk of a man or beast," meaning the main part of the physical structure, like the torso. It also meant the "whole physical structure of a human or animal," essentially the complete material form.
This Old English "bodig" is believed to have come from an even older language called Proto-Germanic. This was the language that was the ancestor of all Germanic languages, including English, German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. The Proto-Germanic root word, believed to be something like "*budag-" or "*bud-", also carried the meaning of "trunk, body, or mass."
So, you can see that from its very beginnings, the core meaning of "body" has always been about the physical form or the main part of something. Over time, in English, the word expanded to include other meanings like a "group of people" (like a "student body") or a "collection of things" (like a "body of evidence"), but its fundamental sense of a physical structure has remained. Interestingly, while English kept "body" as a central word, in other Germanic languages like German, it was replaced by words derived from Latin.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Body
Body and soul: With all one's being; completely.
Over my dead body: Absolutely not; only if I'm no longer alive to stop it.
Body of work: The complete set of creative or professional achievements by an artist, writer, or professional.
Body politic: The people of a nation, state, or society considered as a group with shared interests.
A body blow: A severe setback or shock.
To keep body and soul together: To earn just enough money to survive.
Somebody / Anybody / Nobody: Used in indefinite pronouns referring to a person or people.
New kid on the block: A newcomer (using "block" as a synonym for "body" in the sense of a collective group or community).
A strong constitution: Referring to a strong physical make-up, a synonymous phrase for a strong body.
To have butterflies in one's stomach: A physical sensation of nervousness, related to the body's reaction.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of body from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
