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Body

The human body is a highly organized biological structure composed of approximately 37 trillion cells that form tissues, organs, and organ systems enabling essential functions such as metabolism, growth, response to stimuli, and reproduction.^[1]^[2] These components are hierarchically arranged, with cells specializing into four primary tissue types—epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous—that collectively support homeostasis through integrated physiological processes.^[3] Key defining features include a skeletal framework of roughly 206 bones providing support and protection, over 600 muscles facilitating movement, and a circulatory system with blood vessels extensive enough to span multiple times around the Earth, underscoring the body's intricate scale and efficiency.^[4]^[5] The body's capacity for self-regulation, repair, and adaptation, driven by genetic and environmental interactions, distinguishes it as a dynamic entity evolved for survival in diverse conditions, with vulnerabilities to disease arising from disruptions in this organization.^[1]^[6]

In natural sciences

Biology and anatomy

The human body comprises approximately 30–37 trillion cells in adults, varying by sex and age, with estimates of 36 trillion in males and 28 trillion in females based on detailed volumetric modeling of tissue types and cell densities.^[7] These cells, numbering around 200–215 distinct types, form the foundational units of structure and function, specializing through differentiation to perform tasks such as nutrient transport, signaling, and defense.^[8] At the tissue level, cells aggregate into four primary types: epithelial tissues, which line surfaces and cavities for protection and secretion; connective tissues, which provide support, transport substances, and facilitate immunity through components like collagen and blood; muscle tissues, responsible for contraction and movement; and nervous tissues, enabling rapid communication via neurons and glia.^[9] Tissues integrate to form organs, defined as discrete structures of multiple tissue types executing specialized roles, such as the heart for pumping blood or the liver for metabolic processing.^[10] Organs cooperate within 11 major organ systems to sustain homeostasis, including the circulatory system (heart, blood vessels, blood) for oxygen and nutrient delivery; respiratory system (lungs, airways) for gas exchange; digestive system (mouth, stomach, intestines, liver) for nutrient breakdown and absorption; nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) for sensory integration and response; musculoskeletal system (skeletal muscles, bones) for support, locomotion, and protection; integumentary system (skin, appendages) as the primary barrier against pathogens; endocrine system (glands like thyroid and adrenals) for hormonal regulation; urinary system (kidneys, bladder) for waste excretion and fluid balance; lymphatic system (lymph nodes, vessels) for immune surveillance; reproductive system (gonads, ducts) for gamete production and offspring development; and immune system (white blood cells, lymphoid organs) for pathogen defense.^[11]^[12] Each system interdepends causally—for instance, the circulatory system relies on respiratory input for oxygenation—ensuring coordinated physiological processes grounded in empirical observations of cellular metabolism and organ interdependence.^[13]

Physics and mechanics

In biomechanics, the human body operates as a complex system governed by classical physics principles, where skeletal structures, muscles, and joints interact to produce motion while managing forces and energy. Bones serve as rigid levers, synovial joints act as fulcrums, and contractile muscles generate effort forces to overcome loads such as body weight or external objects.^[14]^[15] This lever-based framework amplifies small muscle forces into larger movements but often at the cost of mechanical disadvantage, as most bodily levers are third-class systems—where the effort arm is shorter than the load arm, requiring greater force for displacement, as seen in elbow flexion during bicep curls.^[16] First-class levers, like the triceps extension at the elbow, and rare second-class examples, such as nutcracker-like actions in the foot, illustrate varied mechanical efficiencies tailored to functional demands.^[17] Newton's laws of motion underpin bodily dynamics: the first law (inertia) explains why abrupt stops in running demand anticipatory muscle bracing to counteract unintended momentum, while the second law (F=ma) quantifies how muscle-generated forces accelerate limbs, with joint torques scaling to mass and velocity changes during activities like jumping.^[18] The third law manifests in action-reaction pairs, such as ground reaction forces propelling forward gait, where friction between feet and surfaces equals the backward push of leg muscles, enabling propulsion without slippage.^[19] These principles reveal inefficiencies in human design; for instance, leverage amplifies joint stresses, contributing to injury risks under high loads, as force requirements can exceed muscle capacities by factors of 5-10 in activities like lifting.^[16] Balance and stability derive from the body's center of mass (COM), typically located near the pelvis in upright posture, approximately 55-57% of height from the feet in adults, which must remain within the base of support (e.g., foot footprint) to prevent torque-induced falls.^[20] During locomotion, the COM oscillates vertically and horizontally, minimized through inverted pendulum mechanics in walking—where the body vaults over stiff legs like a pendulum, converting gravitational potential energy to kinetic and back, reducing net energy input by up to 70% compared to flat trajectories.^[21] Running shifts to spring-mass dynamics, with tendons storing elastic energy to rebound the COM, further optimizing efficiency; this exchange adheres to conservation laws, with total mechanical energy fluctuating minimally at preferred speeds around 1 kcal/kg/km.^[22] Disruptions, like uneven terrain, elevate COM deviations, increasing fall risks via unbalanced torques unless compensated by proprioceptive adjustments.^[23]

Astronomy and geology

In astronomy, the term "body" primarily denotes a celestial body, defined as a naturally occurring aggregate of matter bound by gravity and observable in space, encompassing objects such as planets, stars, moons, asteroids, comets, and nebulae. The International Astronomical Union and NASA classify planets as celestial bodies that orbit a star, possess sufficient mass to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium (forming a nearly spherical shape), and have cleared other objects from their orbital path.^[24] Stars represent self-luminous celestial bodies powered by nuclear fusion, with the Sun exemplifying a main-sequence G-type star of approximately 1.989 × 10^30 kilograms in mass.^[25] Smaller celestial bodies, including asteroids and dwarf planets like Ceres (diameter ~940 km), lack the mass to clear their orbits but remain gravitationally cohesive.^[26] Celestial bodies vary in composition—rocky (e.g., terrestrial planets like Earth, with a mean density of 5.51 g/cm³), gaseous (e.g., Jupiter, primarily hydrogen and helium), or icy (e.g., comets)—and are studied through spectroscopy, imaging, and orbital mechanics to infer properties like temperature and velocity.^[27] NASA's missions, such as the Dawn spacecraft launched in 2007, have mapped Vesta and Ceres, revealing differentiated interiors with rocky mantles and metallic cores in these protoplanetary bodies.^[28] In geology, "body" describes a discrete, coherent volume of rock or mineral material distinct from enclosing formations, often applied to intrusive igneous structures or mineral deposits. Igneous bodies form from solidified magma; plutons are underground igneous intrusions, classified by shape as tabular (e.g., sills, parallel to bedding) or massive (e.g., batholiths, exceeding 100 km² in exposure).^[29] Batholiths, like the Idaho Batholith spanning ~40,000 km², intrude continental crust and contribute to orogenic processes through heat and fluid transfer.^[30] Ore bodies constitute economically viable concentrations of minerals within host rock, defined as continuous masses of ore minerals intermixed with gangue, distinguishable by lithology and structure; grades typically range from 0.5% to over 5% for metals like copper.^[31] Exploration delineates ore bodies via drilling and geophysics, as in porphyry deposits where disseminated sulfides form tabular bodies up to kilometers in extent.^[32] Sedimentary or metamorphic bodies, such as reef complexes or fault-bounded blocks, are similarly termed when exhibiting uniform properties, aiding stratigraphic mapping.^[33]

Organizational and governing bodies

The concept of the body politic denotes a polity or state conceived as an organic unity akin to a human body, with the ruler as head and subjects as members, facilitating collective action and governance. This metaphorical framework originated in medieval political theory, drawing from classical analogies in Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics, where the state mirrors the body's harmonious parts.^[34] The English phrase "body politic" first appears in records before 1475, during the late Middle Ages, reflecting scholastic influences that treated polities as quasi-corporeal entities capable of perpetual succession and unified will.^[35] In legal and organizational contexts, the notion extended to governing bodies, defined as the authoritative assembly—such as a board of directors, council, or commission—responsible for directing an entity's operations and policy. Under U.S. federal regulations, for instance, a governing body holds fiduciary duties to ensure compliance and strategic alignment, as codified in frameworks like 45 CFR Part 1607 for legal aid organizations.^[36] Similarly, state laws, such as Texas Local Government Code § 201.003, specify governing bodies as the elected or appointed officials empowered to enact ordinances and manage public resources.^[37] This structure traces to early modern corporate practices, where assemblies of stakeholders mimicked the body politic's collective agency to bind members legally. A corporate body or body corporate represents an incorporated entity endowed with legal personality, enabling it to sue, own property, and contract independently of its members. This fiction emerged in 15th-century English law, building on Roman universitas and canon law precedents that viewed guilds and municipalities as enduring organisms with a shared purpose and volition. By the 17th century, as in the Mayflower Compact of 1620, the term "civil body politic" distinguished such artificial collectives from natural persons, granting them perpetual existence for commercial and colonial ventures.^[38] European corporate charters, from the 12th-century Italian comune to English joint-stock companies, formalized this by vesting the body with rights akin to individuals, though subject to sovereign oversight.^[39] These usages underscore the body's metaphorical role in imputing cohesion and agency to dispersed groups, influencing modern structures like regulatory bodies (e.g., independent agencies overseeing industries) and voluntary associations. In professional contexts, bodies such as medical or bar associations function as self-governing entities with disciplinary powers, rooted in 19th-century statutory recognitions that preserved the organic analogy for internal hierarchy and external liability.^[40] Empirical analysis of corporate failures, such as Enron in 2001, highlights governing bodies' causal role in accountability, where lapses in oversight led to dissolution despite legal perpetuity.^[41]

Legal and metaphorical uses

In legal terminology, a body corporate constitutes a corporation treated as a distinct legal entity from its shareholders or members, empowered to own assets, incur liabilities, enter contracts, and participate in litigation independently. This structure, rooted in statutory incorporation, enables perpetual succession and limited liability, as codified in frameworks like the Companies Act in various jurisdictions since the 19th century.^[42] Similarly, the body politic designates the aggregate of citizens organized under a sovereign government, functioning as a unified political organism with collective rights and obligations. Originating in medieval political theory, this concept appears in foundational documents, such as the Mayflower Compact of 1620, which described settlers as a "civil body politic" to affirm self-governance.^[38] The writ of habeas corpus, translating from Latin as "you shall have the body," mandates that authorities present a detained individual before a court to justify custody, safeguarding against arbitrary detention.^[43] Enshrined in English common law by the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 and incorporated into the U.S. Constitution in 1789, it exemplifies "body" in reference to the physical person under legal protection. Additionally, a body of laws—or corpus juris—refers to a systematic compilation of statutes, precedents, and regulations forming the substantive framework of jurisprudence in a jurisdiction.^[44] Metaphorically, "body" denotes a cohesive aggregate or structured whole, evoking the organic unity of a physical form. Common phrases include "body of evidence," signifying the complete assemblage of proofs in judicial or investigative contexts, as in evidentiary standards under rules like U.S. Federal Rule of Evidence 401, which assesses relevance based on the totality presented. Likewise, "body of knowledge" describes the accumulated, interconnected corpus of verified information within a discipline, such as project management standards outlined by the Project Management Institute since 1969. These usages, traceable to Latin corpus implying a unified mass, extend to terms like "body of water" for contiguous aquatic masses or "student body" for an institution's enrolled population, emphasizing collective integrity over literal anatomy.^[45]

In philosophy and metaphysics

Mind-body dualism and materialism

Mind-body dualism posits that the mind and body constitute two fundamentally distinct substances, with the mind being an immaterial, thinking entity capable of independent existence from the extended, material body. This view was systematically articulated by René Descartes (1596–1650), who in his Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) argued for a real distinction between the two based on their essential attributes: the mind's indivisibility (as one cannot conceive of it having parts) contrasted with the body's divisibility (e.g., limbs can be severed).^[46] Descartes supported this through the conceivability argument, asserting that since he could clearly and distinctly conceive of his mind existing without his body—and vice versa—the two must be separable substances, a claim grounded in his method of doubt and criterion of clear and distinct ideas.^[47] Dualism faces significant challenges, particularly the interaction problem: if mind and body are non-overlapping substances (immaterial vs. material), the mechanism for causal interaction remains unexplained, as Descartes proposed the pineal gland in the brain as the point of union but offered no detailed physics for non-physical influence on physical motion.^[48] Critics, including materialist philosophers like Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), contended that mental phenomena arise from corporeal motions, rendering dualistic separation unnecessary and violative of observed conservation laws in physics, such as momentum, which preclude unaccounted immaterial forces. In contrast, philosophical materialism, or physicalism, asserts that all mental states are ultimately reducible to or supervenient upon physical processes, primarily in the brain, eliminating the need for a separate mental substance. This position gained traction with advances in empirical science; for instance, 19th-century neurology demonstrated that specific brain lesions, such as those in Phineas Gage's frontal lobe after a 1848 railroad accident, drastically altered personality and decision-making, suggesting mental traits depend causally on neural integrity rather than an independent soul.^[49] Modern neuroimaging, including fMRI studies correlating neural firing patterns with reported qualia (e.g., visual perception activating V1 cortex regions), provides correlative evidence that consciousness emerges from distributed brain activity, undermining dualism's claim of immaterial autonomy.^[50] Despite these findings, materialism encounters the "hard problem" of consciousness, as formulated by David Chalmers in 1995: while "easy problems" like attention or memory integration can be addressed via physical mechanisms, explaining why physical processes give rise to subjective experience (phenomenal qualia) remains elusive, as no neural account fully bridges the explanatory gap between objective brain states and first-person "what it is like" feelings.^[51] Chalmers argues that even complete physical descriptions of function fail to entail experience, potentially requiring non-reductive extensions like property dualism, though empirical data continues to favor brain-dependence, with split-brain experiments (e.g., Sperry's 1960s studies) showing divided consciousness tied to hemispheric isolation rather than unified immaterial oversight.^[51]^[52] Causal realism underscores that observed dependencies—e.g., anesthetics halting consciousness by disrupting thalamocortical loops without affecting basic reflexes—imply unidirectional physical causation over dualistic reciprocity, yet the persistence of the hard problem highlights limits in current materialist reductions, as no theory has verifiably derived qualia from quarks or neurons alone.^[50] Thus, while neuroscience empirically erodes substance dualism, the ontological status of mind-body unity remains contested, with materialism prevailing in scientific practice but philosophically incomplete absent a solution to experiential emergence.^[52]^[51]

Religious and spiritual conceptions

In Christianity, the human body is conceptualized as a temple of the Holy Spirit, indwelt by God upon belief in Christ, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 6:19 of the New Testament.^[53] This view posits the body not as one's own possession but as entrusted for glorification of God through sexual purity, self-control, and avoidance of immorality, with implications for physical stewardship as a reflection of spiritual commitment.^[54] Christian doctrine further affirms the body's future resurrection in a glorified state, underscoring its inherent dignity and permanence beyond temporal decay, distinct from purely materialist interpretations that deny post-mortem continuity.^[55] In Islam, the body functions as a subordinate vessel to the soul (ruh), which commands and animates it, though both elements are interdependent for complete human agency and accountability before Allah.^[56] Theological texts describe the soul's infusion into the developing fetus at approximately 120 days gestation, transforming the physical form into a ensouled being endowed with full moral and legal protections under Sharia.^[57] This dualism emphasizes bodily resurrection on the Day of Judgment, where physical actions—such as ritual purity (wudu) and fasting—serve as trials for the soul's eternal fate, rejecting notions of the body as illusory or disposable.^[58] Hindu traditions, particularly in Vedanta philosophy derived from the Upanishads, delineate the human constitution across three interconnected bodies: the gross body (sthula sharira), comprising physical matter sustained by food; the subtle body (sukshma sharira), encompassing vital energies (prana), senses, and mind; and the causal body (karana sharira), the seed of ignorance (avidya) that binds the eternal Self (Atman) to cyclic existence.^[59] The physical body is transient, subject to karma's influence and dissolution at death, functioning as a temporary instrument for the Atman's pursuit of knowledge and liberation (moksha), rather than an end in itself.^[60] This framework critiques attachment to the body as a source of delusion, prioritizing discernment of the unchanging Atman beneath phenomenal layers. Buddhist teachings regard the body as a prime exemplar of impermanence (anicca), one of the three marks of conditioned existence, inevitably prone to aging, illness, and decomposition, thereby fueling the unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) of attachment within samsara.^[61] Meditative practices, such as contemplation of the body's 32 parts or its repulsive aspects (asubha bhavana), aim to erode ego-clinging by revealing no enduring self (anatta) inhering in the five aggregates (skandhas), including form.^[62] Unlike Abrahamic views of bodily sanctity or resurrection, Buddhism emphasizes detachment through insight into the body's causal arising and cessation, with enlightenment transcending physicality altogether.^[63]

In technology and engineering

Mechanical and structural components

In mechanical engineering, the body of a machine refers to its foundational structural framework, which supports operational components, maintains alignment, and withstands applied forces and vibrations. This assembly typically comprises rigid elements engineered for high stiffness-to-weight ratios to minimize deflection and ensure precision during operation. Design principles emphasize load distribution, fatigue resistance, and integration with dynamic elements like actuators and sensors.^[64] Key structural components include the machine base, which provides a stable foundation by distributing weight and absorbing shocks, often constructed from cast iron for damping properties or fabricated steel for modularity. Columns or uprights extend vertically from the base to support overhead mechanisms, while worktables, beds, or slides facilitate workpiece positioning and linear translation, with surfaces machined to tolerances as fine as 0.01 mm for accuracy. Spindle housings and carriages enclose rotating or reciprocating parts, incorporating features like guideways to constrain motion and reduce wear.^[64]^[65] Frames form the skeletal core of many machine bodies, consisting of interconnected members—such as beams, trusses, or plates—joined by welds, bolts, or pins to create multi-force members capable of resisting bending, torsion, and axial loads. Unlike deformable bodies that alter shape under stress, rigid frames approximate constant inter-point distances, enabling predictable static equilibrium analysis via free-body diagrams that balance forces and moments. Materials selection prioritizes metals like alloy steels (yielding strengths up to 1000 MPa) for heavy-duty applications or composites for lightweight designs in precision tools, with finite element analysis used to optimize against failure modes like buckling under compressive loads exceeding 10^6 N in industrial presses.^[66]^[67] In assembly contexts, the body integrates purchased elements like bearings and shafts into its structure, ensuring compatibility through standardized interfaces such as keyways or flanges to transmit torque without slippage. For instance, in milling machines, the body’s overarm and knee components allow adjustable positioning, with hydrostatic bearings reducing friction coefficients below 0.001 for smooth operation at speeds up to 10,000 rpm. These designs adhere to principles of modularity, facilitating maintenance and scalability across scales from micro-machining (sub-millimeter features) to heavy forging equipment handling ton-scale forces.^[65]

Vehicles and manufacturing

In automotive engineering, the vehicle body constitutes the primary structural enclosure that supports occupants, cargo, and integrates with the chassis to form the complete vehicle framework. It encompasses the exterior panels, roof, floor, and internal reinforcements, designed to provide rigidity, crash protection, and aesthetic form while minimizing weight. The body also houses subsystems such as doors, windows, and mounting points for mechanical components.^[68] Two predominant construction methods define modern vehicle bodies: body-on-frame and unibody (also known as monocoque). Body-on-frame designs feature a separate ladder-like chassis frame to which the body is bolted, offering superior durability for heavy-duty applications like trucks and off-road vehicles, as the separation allows easier repairs and modifications. This approach dominated until the 1930s, when mass production techniques favored it for its modularity.^[69] In contrast, unibody construction integrates the body panels and frame into a single welded unit, enhancing torsional rigidity, reducing weight by up to 20-30% compared to body-on-frame equivalents, and improving fuel efficiency and handling through lower center of gravity. Unibodies became prevalent post-World War II, with early adopters like the 1930s small passenger cars transitioning from separate frames; by the 2020s, most sedans and crossovers, including the Ford Explorer's shift around 2015, utilize this method for better crash energy absorption via controlled deformation zones.^[70]^[71] Vehicle body manufacturing typically follows a sequence of stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly to produce the "body-in-white" (BIW)—the unpainted, untrimmed welded skeleton. Stamping begins with hydraulic presses forming sheet metal coils into panels like hoods, doors, and fenders using dies that apply forces exceeding 1,000 tons; Toyota's process, for instance, employs multi-stage stamping for complex shapes from high-strength steel blanks. Welding then joins over 3,000-5,000 spot welds per vehicle via robotic arms for precision and speed, creating the BIW structure in minutes on automated lines. Painting precedes trim assembly, where corrosion-resistant coatings are electro-deposited, followed by integration of glass, interiors, and powertrain.^[72]^[73]^[74] Materials for vehicle bodies have evolved from predominantly low-carbon steel in the early 20th century—used in Ford's Model T from 1908 but largely replaced aluminum panels by 1918 for cost reasons—to advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) comprising up to 50% of modern bodies for strength-to-weight ratios. Aluminum, introduced more widely in the 1970s for weight reduction amid fuel crises, now features in 10-20% of passenger vehicle bodies, as in Audi's space-frame designs, offering 40% lighter weight than steel equivalents while maintaining formability. Composites like carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), first applied in limited auto use by 1947, are increasingly adopted in high-performance models for their superior stiffness and 50% weight savings over aluminum, though high costs limit mass-market penetration to under 5% of production. This shift prioritizes lightweighting for electric vehicle range extension, with global mandates driving recyclability; steel remains dominant at 60-70% due to established supply chains and lower upfront costs.^[75]^[76]^[77]

In arts and entertainment

Film and television

In film production, a body double is a performer who substitutes for the principal actor in scenes demanding specific physical resemblance or capabilities, such as nudity, stunts, or intimate actions, while ensuring the actor's face remains obscured.^[78] This practice enhances safety, maintains continuity, and accommodates actors unavailable for certain shots, with doubles selected for matching height, build, and skin tone to the original performer.^[79] Body doubles have been employed since early cinema, notably in scenes involving risk or exposure, and their use surged with the rise of explicit content in the 1960s and 1970s following relaxed censorship codes.^[80] Body horror emerged as a distinct subgenre in the late 1950s, emphasizing visceral transformations, mutations, or violations of the human form to provoke revulsion and explore themes of bodily integrity and identity.^[81] Pioneering examples include The Fly (1958), which depicted a scientist's grotesque merger with an insect via teleportation mishap, and The Blob (1958), featuring an amorphous entity assimilating human tissue.^[82] The genre peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by directors like David Cronenberg, whose films Videodrome (1983) portrayed hallucinatory flesh mutations induced by media signals and The Fly (1986 remake) chronicled accelerating genetic decay, reflecting anxieties over technology, disease, and corporeal autonomy.^[81] These works drew from literary influences like Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915) but innovated through practical effects, such as prosthetics and animatronics, to render physiological horror tangible.^[83] Television adaptations of body horror concepts appeared later, often constrained by broadcast standards, as in episodes of The Outer Limits (1963–1965) featuring alien-induced bodily alterations, though the medium favored psychological over graphic emphasis until cable deregulation in the 1980s enabled series like Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) with episodic mutilations.^[84] Depictions of the human body in cinema have also included educational anatomical films, such as Jacob Sarnoff's 1920s–1930s series visualizing vascular systems through dissected models, blending scientific illustration with narrative techniques.^[85] Overall, the body's portrayal in film and television underscores tensions between realism, spectacle, and taboo, with evolving effects technology—from practical makeup to CGI—amplifying transformative sequences since the 1990s.^[86]

Literature and publishing

In publishing, body text denotes the principal content of a document or page, comprising the core narrative or informational paragraphs intended for sustained reading, as distinguished from headlines, captions, footnotes, or marginalia.^[87] This term emphasizes typographic design for legibility, often employing standard fonts and line spacing optimized for extended consumption in books, articles, or web pages.^[88] Editorial glossaries define it as the "copy that comprises the main body of an article," excluding supplementary elements like sidebars or illustrations.^[89] The structural body matter of a book constitutes the central section between front matter (e.g., title page, preface) and back matter (e.g., index, appendices), encompassing chapters, parts, and the substantive content that advances the work's purpose.^[90] In fiction, this includes plot progression and character development; in nonfiction, it covers arguments, data, and analysis.^[91] Publishers divide the book block into these components to facilitate production, with body matter typically paginated continuously and formatted for thematic cohesion.^[92] As of 2024, self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP specify that body matter may include subdivided elements such as prologues or epilogues if integral to the narrative flow.^[90] In literary discourse, a body of literature refers to the aggregate of published works addressing a specific theme, genre, or scholarly field, serving as the foundational corpus for research or criticism.^[93] This usage highlights cumulative knowledge, as in "the body of literature on postmodern narrative techniques," which researchers consult to contextualize new studies.^[93] Similarly, an author's or artist's body of work—synonymous with oeuvre—encompasses their complete output, evaluated for thematic consistency, evolution, or influence across texts, novels, or poems.^[94] For instance, analyses of Virginia Woolf's body of work examine recurring motifs like stream-of-consciousness from novels such as Mrs. Dalloway (1925) to essays, underscoring stylistic innovation over decades.^[95] Such terms underscore the archival and interpretive roles of literature, prioritizing empirical patterns in textual production over subjective interpretation.

Music

In musical instruments, particularly acoustic string instruments such as guitars and violins, the body refers to the hollow resonant chamber that amplifies string vibrations into audible sound.^[96] The guitar body, typically constructed from woods like spruce for the top (soundboard) and maple or rosewood for the back and sides, features a sound hole that allows sound waves to project outward while enhancing low-frequency resonance.^[97] In violins, the body's arched plates—crafted from tonewoods including spruce tops and maple backs—vibrate sympathetically with the strings, with the f-holes aiding acoustic projection and the overall shape influencing timbre and volume.^[98] ^[99] Electric guitars often feature solid bodies made from dense woods like alder or mahogany to minimize feedback while providing sustain, contrasting with hollow or semi-hollow designs that retain acoustic amplification.^[100] The body's material density and volume determine resonant frequencies, where vibrations from the bridge transfer to the body, exciting air molecules inside to produce amplified harmonics.^[96] Body percussion denotes the technique of generating rhythmic sounds using the human body as a percussive instrument, involving actions like clapping, snapping, stomping, or slapping body parts.^[101] This method, accessible without external tools, builds rhythmic awareness and is employed in music education, folk traditions, and ensemble performances to layer beats or accompany songs.^[102] Common sounds include chest thumps for bass tones or finger snaps for high-pitched accents, with variations across cultures such as African polyrhythms or Western classroom exercises.^[103]^[104]

Miscellaneous uses

Everyday and idiomatic expressions

The expression "keep body and soul together" denotes the minimal effort required to sustain life, particularly by securing just enough resources for basic sustenance like food and shelter, and derives from the Christian theological view that the soul animates the physical body, with the phrase appearing in English usage by the early 18th century.^[105]^[106] For instance, it is often applied to describe precarious financial situations where earnings barely cover essentials, as in "He took the job just to keep body and soul together."^[107] "Body language" refers to nonverbal communication transmitted through gestures, postures, facial expressions, and other physical movements, independent of spoken words, with the term first recorded in 1885 in English literature.^[108] This concept gained prominence in the 20th century through studies in psychology and anthropology, emphasizing its role in conveying emotions or intentions, such as crossed arms signaling defensiveness. A "body of evidence" signifies a substantial collection of facts, data, or proofs that collectively support a particular conclusion, commonly used in legal, scientific, or investigative contexts to denote cumulative rather than isolated support.^[109] For example, courts may reference a body of evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, drawing from multiple corroborating sources like witness testimonies and documents.^[110] "Body English" describes the instinctive or exaggerated twisting and leaning of one's body in an attempt to influence the path of an object, such as a ball in sports like bowling or basketball, originating in American English around the mid-20th century from observations of players' physical exertions.^[111] It illustrates a blend of hope and physical mimicry, as in a bowler contorting to "will" the ball toward the pins. The idiom "over my dead body" expresses vehement opposition or refusal to allow something to happen, implying one would prevent it at the cost of their life, with roots in 19th-century English dramatic rhetoric emphasizing absolute determination. It remains a staple in everyday disputes, such as parental vetoes, underscoring unyielding resolve without literal intent.

Slang and colloquialisms

In hip-hop culture and competitive gaming, "to body" or "get bodied" refers to decisively defeating or outperforming an opponent, often in verbal, lyrical, or virtual confrontations. The term evokes a sense of total domination akin to physical overpowering, with origins tracing to rap battles where an artist metaphorically "bodies" a track or rival by delivering superior performance. This usage gained traction in the early 2000s through urban music scenes and online gaming communities, such as fighting games or MOBAs, where players describe crushing defeats as "getting bodied."^[112] "Body count" in contemporary slang denotes the number of sexual partners an individual has had, a euphemistic extension from its military origin during the Vietnam War era, where it tallied enemy casualties reported by U.S. forces starting around 1962. The phrase evolved in hip-hop lyrics during the 1980s and 1990s to signify kills in violent contexts before shifting to sexual conquests in the 2000s, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok in the 2020s among Gen Z users. This slang application carries connotations of promiscuity or bravado, though it draws criticism for objectifying partners by likening them to battlefield losses.^[113]^[114] In criminal and urban vernacular, "body" colloquially means a corpse, particularly one resulting from homicide, as in phrases like "dropping bodies" to indicate killings. This usage appears in gang-related narratives and true crime accounts from the late 20th century onward, reflecting a desensitized view of violence in affected communities.^[115]

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Functions of All 11 Organ Systems in the Human Body
Dec 18, 2023 · There are 11 organ systems in the human body: the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, ...
[13]
The Significance of Physiological Spaces in the Body and Its ...
The human body is made up of physical structures and spaces. These physiological spaces play an integral role in metabolic processes.
[14]
What levers does your body use? - Science Learning Hub
Jun 21, 2007 · In our bodies bones act as lever arms, joints act as pivots, and muscles provide the effort forces to move loads.
[15]
https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/levers-work-to-create-movement-in-the-human-body
[16]
Body Levers – Body Physics: Motion to Metabolism
The forces required to move people are large to begin with, and the biomechanics of the body can amplify those forces by the effects of leverage, or lack ...
[17]
Lever Systems In Biomechanics - TeachPE.com
Aug 5, 2019 · A lever system is made up of three parts; an effort, a load, and a fulcrum. In the human body, the effort is provided by the muscle (the muscles ...
[18]
4.2 Newton's First Law – Introduction to Biomechanics
Newton's first law is a general or universal law, which means it can be applied to anything from a textbook sliding on a table, to a person jumping in the air, ...
[19]
Locomotion – Body Physics: Motion to Metabolism
Locomotion is based on a combination of Newton's Laws. A body will move with a constant velocity until it experiences a net force (Newton's First Law).
[20]
Biomechanics of Safe Lifting - Cornell University Ergonomics Web
If you lift and bend at your waist and extend your upper body, this changes the back's alignment and the center of balance (center of mass) in the abdomen.
[21]
The mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure in human ...
The energy costs of walking and running are minimized by two different mechanisms. In walking an alternate exchange of Ek and Ep takes place at each step.Missing: physics | Show results with:physics
[22]
two basic mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure
Walking, in all animals (as in man), involves an alternate transfer between gravitational-potential energy and kinetic energy within each stride.
[23]
[PDF] Exercise Biomechanics - Art Johnson
Body weight acting through its center of mass generally is used to promote stability. That is, body weight can provide the balancing force or torque necessary ...
[24]
What is a Planet? - NASA Science
A planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it ...
[25]
What is a planet? - NASA Science
Oct 29, 2024 · A planet is a celestial body that is in orbit around a star; it has enough mass for its gravity to create a round shape; and it has cleared ...
[26]
Solar System: Facts - NASA Science
Our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, five officially named dwarf planets, hundreds of moons, and thousands of asteroids and comets.
[27]
Solar System Exploration - NASA Science
The solar system has one star, eight planets, five dwarf planets, at least 290 moons, more than 1.3 million asteroids, and about 3900 comets.About the Planets · Facts · Hypothetical Planet X · Exploration
[28]
NASA Spots Giant Debris Cloud Created by Clashing Celestial Bodies
Mar 18, 2022 · Around this early time in a star's life, dust left over from its formation has clumped together to form rocky bodies called planetesimals – ...<|separator|>
[29]
[PDF] Igneous Rocks - SOEST Hawaii
• An underground igneous body, once cooled and solidified, is called a pluton. • Classification of plutons. • Shape. – Tabular (sheet-like). – Massive.
[30]
Igneous Rocks Lesson #12 - Volcano World
Types of intrusive igneous rocks are granite and basalt. The diagram above shows you a large intrusive igneous body called a batholith. A batholith is the ...
[31]
Ore Body - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
An ore body is an accumulation of a solid and fairly continuous mass of ore with gangue, distinctly distinguishable by form and character from the enclosing ...
[32]
[PDF] Use of structural geology in exploration for and mining of ...
(B). Photograph of outcrop-scale brittle-ductile fault zone with quartz veinlets in ore zone,. 304 ore body. (From Peters and others, 2001b). These textures ...
[33]
Glossary of Geologic Terms - National Park Service
May 22, 2024 · A body of rocks in the footwall of a fault that has not moved substantially from its site of origin; the rocks may be slightly to considerably ...
[34]
Politic - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
From mid-15c. as "prudent, judicious," originally of rulers: "characterized by policy." Body politic "a political entity, a country" ( ...
[35]
body politic, n. meanings, etymology and more
The earliest known use of the noun body politic is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for body politic is from before 1475, ...
[36]
45 CFR Part 1607 -- Governing Bodies - eCFR
(d) Governing body means the board of directors or other body with authority ... means consistent with this part and with the recipient's bylaws and applicable ...
[37]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 201. GENERAL ...
(6) "Governing body" means the court, council, board, commission, or other body established or authorized by law to govern the operations of a local government.
[38]
A Civil Body Politic: The Mayflower Compact and 17th-Century ...
Nov 24, 2021 · By the 17th century, the law regularly used the expression “body politic” to make a distinction between natural persons – i.e. even human beings ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
[39]
[PDF] The Corporate Origins of Individual Rights - econ.umd.edu
As we show, throughout most of European history, the right to form an organization, specifically a corporation, was a matter of public law not private law.
[40]
Regulatory Body - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
A regulatory body is an organization established to regulate and promote various aspects of national life, such as safety, auditing, equality, and industry ...<|separator|>
[41]
[PDF] The History of Corporate Governance - ECGI
“Corporate governance” first came into vogue in the 1970s in the United States. Within 25 years corporate governance had become the subject of debate ...
[42]
Body Corporate | Definition And Corporate Structure Overview
Sep 11, 2024 · A body corporate is an entity that has been incorporated under statutory laws, which means it has been legally established and registered as a corporation or ...
[43]
Glossary of Legal Terms - United States Courts
Habeas corpus. Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a ...
[44]
body of laws | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
body of laws ... Body of laws (also known as corpus juris) is a reference to an organized and systematic collection of the rules of jurisprudence, code or laws.
[45]
AND THE WORDS BECOME FLESH: EXPLORING A BIOLOGICAL ...
Dec 1, 2023 · Thus, body is often used metaphorically to define entities that are—or are to be taken as—coherent parts acting within a coherent whole. The ...
[46]
The mind-body Cartesian dualism and psychiatry - PMC - NIH
The French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) argued that the natures of mind and body are completely different from one another and that each could exist ...
[47]
Descartes on the separateness of mind and body
Aug 23, 2006 · Descartes argues that the mind is something distinct from any body. But the Meditations begins with a discussion of a topic seemingly far removed from the ...
[48]
Descartes and the Discovery of the Mind-Body Problem
Aug 8, 2019 · It is the nature of bodies to be in space, and the nature of minds not to be in space, Descartes claims. For the two to interact, what is not in ...
[49]
Materialism and Behaviorism – Introduction to Philosophy
Materialism denies the existence of a “mind” as an entity separate from the body. According to materialism, the concept of “mind” is a relic of the past from ...
[50]
Descartes' dogma and damage to Western psychiatry - PMC - NIH
The first step in dumping or dodging this dogma is that we must recognise that mind–body dualism is false. The mind affects the body, and the body affects the ...<|separator|>
[51]
[PDF] Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness - David Chalmers
The really hard problem of consciousness is the problem of experience. When we think and perceive, there is a whir of information-processing, but there is ...
[52]
An evidence-based critical review of the mind-brain identity theory
Here, several neuroscientific findings are reviewed that question the idea that posits phenomenal experience as an emergent property of brain activity.
[53]
What does it mean that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Feb 28, 2023 · And as Christian's bodies are God's temple, we are to use them to glorify God. ... Therefore, how we behave, think and speak, and what we let into ...
[54]
Caring for Your Body, The Holy Spirit's Temple
Mar 3, 2016 · Caring for my body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, is a key principle associated to living in a right and intimate relationship with God.
[55]
Christian, Take Care of Your Body - Christ and Culture
Apr 24, 2017 · Christians should be better stewards of our bodies because we know that they are temples, valuable and a testimony of our relationship to Christ for others to ...
[56]
The Body and the Soul - IslamOnline
The body is subservient and the soul is in charge; however, both are indispensable. It is just that the soul is the master while the body is the obedient ...
[57]
Islam and the Beginning of Human Life - Petrie-Flom Center
Dec 8, 2017 · Given the dual metaphysical nature of Islamic law, the fetus is a potential human being, but it is the presence of a soul which constitutes an ...
[58]
Understanding the soul in Islam - Faith in Allah
Feb 13, 2020 · Islam provides us with a blueprint of the human soul for this very purpose. The psyche (inner-self) of an individual is composed of four ...
[59]
7.1 The 3 Bodies - Explore Vedanta
According to Vedanta a Jiva is composed of 3 bodies. These 3 bodies are: Gross Body (Sthula Sharira); Subtle Body (Sukshma Sharira); Causal Body (Karana Sharira).
[60]
How 3 Bodies (Gross, Subtle, Causal) Seemingly Condition Atman
Aug 28, 2018 · The kāraṇa-śarīra, often referred to as the causal body in Vedanta, is the subtlest of the three bodies (gross, subtle, and causal). It is ...
[61]
Impermanence is Buddha Nature | Lion's Roar
Aug 14, 2024 · As far as classical Buddhism is concerned, impermanence is the number one inescapable, and essentially painful, fact of life. It is the singular ...
[62]
How to Accept the Impermanence of Life: A Buddhist Take
Apr 14, 2016 · This article will discuss the meaning of impermanence and its importance to Buddhism. We explain how you can design your life to accommodate impermanence.Impermanence in Buddhism · How to Accept the... · How to Design Our Lives for...<|control11|><|separator|>
[63]
Understanding Impermanence: A Core Buddhist Teaching - Scott Tusa
May 10, 2024 · This perspective also leads to a different understanding of death. In Buddhism, death is viewed as a transition, not an ending. Consider this ...
[64]
Mechanical Structure - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
It encompasses important components such as the machine base, column, worktable, slide, spindle cases, and carriages. The major factors for machine design and ...
[65]
Machine Components - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
a collection of simple parts remains such as nuts, bolts, springs, gears, cams, and shaft—the building blocks of machinery ...
[66]
6.6 Frames and Machines - Engineering Statics
Frames are rigid, stationary structures designed to support loads and must include at least one multi-force member.
[67]
Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering - SEBoK
May 24, 2025 · A structural element that changes its shape under load is known as a deformable body, whereas a body for which the distances between points ...
[68]
[PDF] Applications – Car body – Body structures | European Aluminium
The core element of any car is the body structure. The car body connects all the different components; it houses the drive train and most importantly ...
[69]
Body-on-Frame vs. Unibody vs. Monocoque: What's the Difference?
Apr 30, 2020 · A look at the history of vehicle structural design considering body on frame, unibody, monocoque, space frame, skateboard chassis, and other ...
[70]
Unibody vs. Body-on-Frame Construction - Carfax
Mar 20, 2025 · Over the past 10 years, many popular SUVs like the Ford Explorer have switched from body-on-frame to unibody construction.
[71]
Unibody vs Body-on-Frame: What's the Difference? - Autolist
Oct 3, 2023 · Unibody vehicles are prized for their rigidity, ease of safety feature integration, and improved driving dynamics over traditional body-on-frame vehicles.
[72]
Car Production Process: Stamping | Toyota Virtual Plant Tour
Creating Elaborate Shapes Through a Four Step Stamping Process ; 01 STAMPING ; 02 WELDING ; 03 PAINTING ; 04 ASSEMBLY ; 05 INSPECTION・ SHIPPING ...
[73]
Car Production Process: Welding | Toyota Virtual Plant Tour
The Toyota Virtual Plant Tour site introduces the welding process where parts are brought together forming shape of the car.
[74]
Four key processes of automobile manufacturing: stamping, welding ...
Dec 3, 2022 · Generally speaking, the four major processes of vehicle manufacturing are divided into: stamping, welding, painting and final assembly.
[75]
Timeline: A Path to Lightweight Materials in Cars and Trucks
Aug 25, 2016 · 1909. Ford's Model T Touring Car used aluminum body panels but switched predominately to steel from 1918 through the 1970s due to cost.
[76]
Top 5 Materials Used in Auto Manufacturing | HowStuffWorks
These materials have evolved greatly over the decades, becoming more sophisticated, better built, and safer. They've changed as new automotive manufacturing ...
[77]
Advances of composite materials in automobile applications
The first composite materials were introduced with automobiles in 1947 [3], [4]. In 1974, Japan thought to reduce weight of the vehicle for decreasing high fuel ...
[78]
What is a Body Double in Film — Definition and Examples
Nov 13, 2022 · In film, a body double is a person who takes the place of an actor in a scene often warranted by their physical similarities.
[79]
https://www.nofilmschool.com/body-doubles
[80]
Body Doubles: Everything You Need to Know - Toronto Film School
Mar 27, 2024 · Body doubles allow actors to appear to have skills or looks they don't, or when an actor is unavailable, or for dangerous stunts.What Kind of Body Doubles...
[81]
Body Horror Explained — Inside the Best Body Horror Movies
Apr 25, 2025 · The late '70s into the '80s was considered by many to be the golden-age of body horror and where the dedicated subgenre was officially born. The ...
[82]
A Quick History of Body Horror in Cinema - Gehenna & Hinnom Books
Apr 7, 2017 · The sub-genre of body horror has been around for over a half-century. Early examples of the genre in film include The Blob (1958) and The Fly (1958).
[83]
Film Genres: Body horror - Research Guides - Dartmouth
Oct 16, 2025 · Appearing in distinct cycles within a number of national cinemas, body horror can arguably be traced back to 1950s horror/science fiction ...
[84]
Body Horror (Chapter 7) - The Cambridge Companion to American ...
In this chapter, I focus exclusively on US manifestations of the genre because many of them have been the most foundational to the history of body horror.<|separator|>
[85]
Jacob Sarnoff and the Strange World of Anatomical Filmmaking
Jul 8, 2015 · Brooklyn surgeon Jacob Sarnoff (1886–1961) produced this movie atlas of the human body between 1920 and 1924. Sold alongside a textbook and ...
[86]
(PDF) Different 'percepts' of the human body in cinema
May 6, 2017 · PDF | The ways in which the human body can be (re-)presented in cinema are many, and varied. In Modern Times it is depicted in predominantly ...
[87]
What is Body Text? | Envato Tuts+
Sep 12, 2022 · Body text, also known as body copy or main text, is any text that forms the main part of a book, newspaper, web page, magazine, or other printed ...
[88]
Definition of body text - PCMag
The base font used for text in a paragraph. In many desktop publishing programs, paragraphs not tagged separately are assigned the body text style.
[89]
Glossary of editorial and publishing terms
Jan 2, 2024 · body text: the copy that comprises the main body of an article ... epigraph: a quote at the beginning of a book, or the beginning of a chapter or ...
[90]
Format Front Matter, Body Matter, and Back Matter
Body matter includes all content between the front and back matter. Body matter typically contains all part pages and chapters.
[91]
Every Part of a Book, Explained (With 15+ Examples) - Kindlepreneur
Sep 29, 2025 · Chapters divide the body text block into more consumable bits. You can even subdivide your story. Some books contain 2-4 parts and several ...
[92]
Parts of Your Book | iUniverse
The inside of your book, which we call the book block, is divided into three main sections: the front matter, book block text, and back matter.
[93]
BODY OF LITERATURE definition in American English
Its main goals are to situate the current study within the body of literature and to provide context for the particular reader.Missing: terminology | Show results with:terminology
[94]
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oeuvre
[95]
Oeuvre - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com
The oeuvre of a writer or artist refers to all their work combined. Writing one book isn't much of an oeuvre, but writing ten could be ... synonyms: body of work, ...
[96]
The Anatomy of a Guitar: Understanding the Different Parts
Jun 12, 2023 · The body of a guitar is the main resonating chamber that amplifies the sound produced by the strings. It comes in various shapes and sizes, such ...
[97]
Guitar Anatomy – Understanding the Different Parts of the Guitar
body, which has a hole in the middle called the sound hole. On the body, the bridge, the saddle, and the bridge pins hold the wires in place. Electric ...
[98]
Anatomy of a Violin | Givens Violins Minneapolis MN
The neck of the violin is attached to the body of the instrument and is angled so that the player can hold the violin comfortably while playing. The fingerboard ...
[99]
An Expert Guide to the Structure and Mechanics of the Violin
The body of the violin not only gives the instrument its characteristic appearance, it also determines the sound quality. As the largest section of the violin, ...
[100]
https://www.artgharana.com/blogs/musical-instruments/guitar-anatomy-parts-guide
[101]
What is Body Percussion? - DRUM! Magazine
Mar 29, 2022 · Body percussion is the practice of using your own body to create rhythm. It's a great way to build musicality and make music without instruments.
[102]
What is Body Percussion? - Your Therapy Source
May 1, 2020 · Body percussion is using different parts of the body to make music. Have you ever stopped to think how may sounds you can make with your body?
[103]
The Origins and Influence of Body Percussion - Dance Magazine
Oct 3, 2022 · Clapping, stomping and striking body parts from head to feet in rhythmic or repetitive ways is a timeless means of human interchange.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[104]
Musical journeys: What is body percussion? - BBC Bitesize
Body percussion - Making sounds with your body or voice. Composing - Creating your own music. Dynamics - The volume of the music. How quiet or loud it is.
[105]
Keep Body And Soul Together - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase
What's the origin of the phrase 'Keep body and soul together'?. The phrase derives from the Christian notion that life continues only as long as the soul ...
[106]
Keep Body and Soul Together | Phrase Definition, Origin & Examples
The phrase 'keep body and soul together' stems from the Christian belief that life lasts only as long as the persons soul stays in the body. See more phrases.
[107]
keep body and soul together - Meaning - The Idioms
Sep 24, 2016 · It has been used since the early 1700s. ... What figure of speech is this expression “keep body and soul together”. ... What's on your mind?
[108]
body language, n. meanings, etymology and more
The earliest known use of the noun body language is in the 1880s. OED's earliest evidence for body language is from 1885, in the writing of J. F. Rowbotham.
[109]
a body of evidence | Meaning, Grammar Guide & Usage Examples
"A body of evidence" implies a substantial amount of supporting information, whereas "some evidence" suggests a smaller, potentially less convincing amount. The ...Missing: idiom | Show results with:idiom
[110]
body of something - Longman
There is a growing body of evidence that charges are too high. b) MAINthe main, central, or most important part of something The arguments are ...
[111]
BODY ENGLISH Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
Idioms and Phrases. Movements of the body that express a person's feelings, as in His body English tells us just how tired he is. This expression originated ...
[112]
Get Bodied: Definition, Meaning, and Origin - US Dictionary
Aug 24, 2023 · "Get bodied" means to lose badly or get hurt. The phrase is often used in sports, video games, and rap battles. What Does "Get Bodied" Mean? The ...
[113]
BODY COUNT Slang Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The non-spicy and original use of body count most people are familiar with refers to the number of persons killed usually in a battle or war. This led to body ...
[114]
What Is a Body Count? – Body Count Meaning in Relationship
According to Merriam-Webster, the term "Body Count" was first used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War in 1962. It referred to the number of enemy ...
[115]
body, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
The (notional) casing or repository of the soul; (slang and colloquial) the body. ... The phrase ' heirs of her body ' means principle of primogeniture ...