Body
/ˈbɒ.di/noun
The physical structure of a living organism.
Did you know?The Old English word for 'body' was 'boda', which not only meant physical form but was also used in the context of 'messenger', hinting at the body's role as a vessel for messages from the spirit world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰodʰ-
“to swell, to grow, indicating physical form.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σῶμα (sōma)
“body, used in philosophical contexts to discuss the physical aspect of beings.”
Old English
Old English
boda
“a messenger or physical form, indicating the connection between body and communication.”
14th Century
Middle English
bodie
“the physical form of a person, often invoking the duality of body and soul.”
Modern English
English
body
“the entire physical structure of a human or animal.”