First Known Use: 1818
Dictionary
corpus delicti
noun cor·pus de·lic·ti \ˈkȯr-pəs-di-ˈlik-ˌtī, -(ˌ)tē\
plural corpora delicti
Definition of CORPUS DELICTI
1
: the substantial and fundamental fact necessary to prove the commission of a crime
2
: the material substance (as the body of the victim of a murder) upon which a crime has been committed
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Origin of CORPUS DELICTI
New Latin, literally, body of the crime
Rhymes with CORPUS DELICTI
Medical Dictionary
corpus delicti
noun corpus de·lic·ti \-di-ˈlik-ˌtī, -(ˌ)tē\
plural corpora delicti
Medical Definition of CORPUS DELICTI
1
: the substantial and fundamental fact (as, in murder, actual death and its occurrence as a result of criminal agency) necessary to prove the commission of a crime
2
: the material substance (as the body of the victim of a murder) upon which a crime has been committed
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