Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COR'PO-RAL, or COR'PO-RALE, n.

A fine linen cloth, used to cover the sacred elements in the eucharist, or in which the sacrament is put. – Paley. Chambers. Corporal oath, a solemn oath, so called from the ancient usage of touching the corporale, or cloth that covered the consecrated elements. – Paley.