Cor"po*ral (k?r"p?-ral), Cor`po*ra"le (-r?"l?), n. [LL. corporale: cf.F. corporal. See Corporal,a.]
A fine linen cloth, on which the sacred elements are consecrated in the eucharist, or with which they are covered; a communion cloth.
Corporal oath, a solemn oath; -- so called from the fact that it was the ancient usage for the party taking it to touch the corporal, or cloth that covered the consecrated elements.
© Webster 1913.