Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COR'PO-RAL, n. [It. caporale; Fr. caporal; Sp. caporal; from L. caput, head, or more directly from the Celtic root of caput, Sp. cabo, It. capo, Eng. cape. Our orthography is a corruption.]

1. The lowest officer of a company of infantry, next below a serjeant. He has charge over one of the divisions, places and relieves sentinels, &c.
2. The corporal of a ship of war, is an officer under the master at arms, employed to teach the sailors the use of small arms; to attend at the gangways on entering ports, and see that no spirituous liquors are brought, except by permission; to extinguish fire and candles, &c.