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

The House of Commons is a legislative body corporate by prescription, not made upon any given theory, but existing prescriptively,—just like the rest.

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

An Act of incorporation had been obtained during the session, whereby it was enacted that York should be constituted a body corporate and politic by the name of the City of Toronto.

From The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion by Dent, John Charles

Security for the integrity of the idea and the vigor of its execution will be found in the creation of a body corporate, or corporation.

From The Jewish State by Lipsky, Louis

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 Conrad, Robert Taylor

The body corporate was too fatally diseased to cure itself Rottenness and corruption hung upon its borders, and were slowly sapping the foundations of its life.

From The Nation's Peril Twelve Years' Experience in the South by Anonymous