corpus vile

British  

/ ˈkɔːpəs ˈvaɪlɪ /

noun

1. a person or thing fit only to be the object of an experiment

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Etymology

Origin of corpus vile

literally: worthless body

Example Sentences

If his reputation suffered by his tender of himself as a corpus vile for the benefit of future generations, he was prepared to take this risk, as he was prepared to take the risks of the two electric shocks, which nearly cost him his life, in the promotion of human knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

I know it is wrong-headed, generalising from a particular case and all that—but I would rather be wrong-headed with Jeremy, who took a back-view of everything, than right-headed with some forward spirits who treat the land as a corpus vile for political experiments.

From Project Gutenberg

Among induced apparitions may be reckoned the materialized forms of spiritual s�ances, which have a material basis of veils, false moustaches, wigs and the corpus vile of the medium.

From Project Gutenberg

She was certain that Chandrap�l would not treat Snarley as a mere abnormal specimen of human nature, a corpus vile for scientific investigation.

From Project Gutenberg

No good book ought ever to be considered a mere corpus vile for rhetorical praxis.

From Project Gutenberg