body corporate

American  

noun

Law.

1. a person, association, or group of persons legally incorporated; corporation.

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body corporate British  

noun

1. law a group of persons incorporated to carry out a specific enterprise See corporation

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Etymology

Origin of body corporate

First recorded in 1490–1500

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

body corporate

The Church, like every body corporate, may alter her laws without changing her identity.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Edmund Burke

In some states, school funds are created by appropriating the public lands, which are lands owned by the state as a body corporate.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Andrew W. Young

The chief magistrate of the body corporate of Stratford was in the early charters called the high bailiff.

From William Shakespeare as he lived. An Historical Tale by Henry Curling

Montezuma Moggs understood how to "skulk;" and we all comprehend the fact that to "skulk" judiciously is a fine political feature, saving much of wear and tear to the body corporate.

From Graham's Magazine Vol. XXXII No. 2. February 1848 by Robert Taylor Conrad

James I. in 1609 confirmed these privileges, giving the burgesses the right to be called a body corporate and to elect twelve aldermen and a common council of twenty-four.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 2 "Camorra" to "Cape Colony" by Various