body 
/ˈbɑ:di/ noun
plural bod·ies /ˈbɑ:di/ noun 1 [count] a : a person's or animal's whole physical self
▪ the human body ▪ a part of the body ▪ Her body is very muscular. ▪ A bird's body is covered in feathers. — often used before another noun ▪ body weight/fat ▪ body parts ▪ A person's normal body temperature [=(Brit) blood heat] is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.
b : a dead person or animal
▪ The body [=corpse] was shipped home for burial.
c : the main physical part of a person or animal
▪ This species has a black body and a white head. ▪ She held her arms tightly against her body. 2 [count] : the part of a vehicle that does not include the engine, wheels, etc.
▪ There was extensive damage to the truck's body. ▪ The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out. 3 [count] : the main or most important part of something written
▪ The (main) body of the text/letter is devoted to a description of the author's childhood home. 4 [count] : an object that is separate from other objects
▪ heavenly/celestial bodies, such as the moon, the planets, and the stars ◊A foreign body is an object that is inside something (such as someone's body) where it should not be.
▪ The X-ray showed a foreign body in his stomach. ▪ Dust particles and other foreign bodies can irritate the eyes. 5 [count] : a large area of water — used in the phrase body of water ▪ This lake is the largest body of water in the state. 6 [count] : a group of people who are involved together in the same job, activity, etc.
▪ a body of troops ▪ the student body ▪ the state's legislative body [=the group of people who make the state's laws] 7 [count] : a group of things that are related or connected in some way
▪ They've accumulated quite a body of evidence. ▪ a writer with an impressive body of work 8 [noncount] of wine : a strong and appealing flavor
▪ a wine with full body 9 [noncount] of hair : a thick and appealing quality
▪ hair that lacks body 10 [count] : the section of a piece of clothing that covers the main part of a person's body
▪ the body of a wetsuit 11 [count] old-fashioned : a human being : person — usually singular ▪ What's a body to do? ▪ It was just some poor body looking for work.
▪ the human body ▪ a part of the body ▪ Her body is very muscular. ▪ A bird's body is covered in feathers. — often used before another noun ▪ body weight/fat ▪ body parts ▪ A person's normal body temperature [=(Brit) blood heat] is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.
b : a dead person or animal
▪ The body [=corpse] was shipped home for burial.
c : the main physical part of a person or animal
▪ This species has a black body and a white head. ▪ She held her arms tightly against her body.
▪ There was extensive damage to the truck's body. ▪ The body of the bus is almost entirely rusted out.
▪ The (main) body of the text/letter is devoted to a description of the author's childhood home.
▪ heavenly/celestial bodies, such as the moon, the planets, and the stars ◊A foreign body is an object that is inside something (such as someone's body) where it should not be.
▪ The X-ray showed a foreign body in his stomach. ▪ Dust particles and other foreign bodies can irritate the eyes.
▪ a body of troops ▪ the student body ▪ the state's legislative body [=the group of people who make the state's laws]
▪ They've accumulated quite a body of evidence. ▪ a writer with an impressive body of work
▪ a wine with full body
▪ hair that lacks body
▪ the body of a wetsuit
body and soul
: with all of your energy and enthusiasm
▪ He devoted himself body and soul to the cause.
▪ He devoted himself body and soul to the cause.
keep body and soul together
: to have or get enough food and money to survive
▪ She kept body and soul together by working two jobs.
▪ She kept body and soul together by working two jobs.
over my dead body
informal — used to say that you are very determined to not let something happen ▪ “We're getting married.” “Over my dead body!” ▪ I told her she could go with them over my dead body.
