corpuscle

[ kawr-puh-suh l, -puhs-uh l ]

/ ˈkɔr pə səl, -pʌs əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR corpuscle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Biology. an unattached cell, especially of a kind that floats freely, as a blood or lymph cell.

Anatomy. a small mass or body forming a more or less distinct part, as the sensory receptors at nerve terminals.

Physical Chemistry. a minute or elementary particle of matter, as an electron, proton, or atom.

any minute particle.

Nearby words

corpus luteum, corpus luteum hormone, corpus spongiosum, corpus striatum, corpus vile, corpuscle, corpuscular lymph, corpuscular radiation, corpuscular theory, corpusculum, corr.

Also cor·pus·cule

[kawr-puhs-kyool] /kɔrˈpʌs kyul/.

Origin of corpuscle

1650–60; < Latin corpusculum, equivalent to corpus body + -culum -cle¹

Related forms

cor·pus·cu·lar

[kawr-puhs-kyuh-ler] /kɔrˈpʌs kyə lər/, cor·pus·cu·lat·ed

[kawr-puhs-kyuh-ley-tid] /kɔrˈpʌs kyəˌleɪ tɪd/, cor·pus·cu·lous, adjectivecor·pus·cu·lar·i·ty

[kawr-puhs-kyuh-lar-i-tee] /kɔrˌpʌs kyəˈlær ɪ ti/, nounin·ter·cor·pus·cu·lar, adjectivenon·cor·pus·cu·lar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for corpuscle

The picture above shows how a corpuscle looks under the microscope.
The Harmsworth Magazine, v. 1, 1898-1899, No. 2|Various
And, in fact, such theory was about finally adopted as a working hypothesis until the discovery of the Corpuscle.
Dynamic Thought|William Walker Atkinson
As to the Corpuscle being "Primal Substance," it must be admitted that its advocates have presented a very strong case.
Dynamic Thought|William Walker Atkinson
It will be noticed that there are usually two bodies in a corpuscle.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle|U.S. Department of Agriculture

Every atom in Percy's body, every corpuscle in his blood, seemed to be crying out for water.
Jim Spurling, Fisherman|Albert Walter Tolman

British Dictionary definitions for corpuscle

corpuscle

/ (ˈkɔːpʌsəl) /

noun

any cell or similar minute body that is suspended in a fluid, esp any of the red blood corpuscles (erythrocytes) or white blood corpuscles (see leucocytes)See also erythrocyte, leucocyte

anatomy the encapsulated ending of a sensory nerve

physics a discrete particle such as an electron, photon, ion, or atom

Also called: corpuscule (kɔːˈpʌskjuːl) any minute particle

Derived Forms

corpuscular (kɔːˈpʌskjʊlə), adjective

Word Origin for corpuscle

C17: from Latin corpusculum a little body, from corpus body

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for corpuscle

corpuscle

[ kôr′pə-səl, -pŭs′əl ]

n.

An unattached body cell, such as a blood or lymph cell.

A rounded, globular mass of cells, such as the pressure receptor on certain nerve endings.

Related forms

cor•pus′cu•lar (kôr-pŭs′kyə-lər) adj.

Science definitions for corpuscle

corpuscle

[ kôr′pə-səl ]

Any of various cellular or small multicellular structures in the body, especially a red or white blood cell.

See particle.