corpus vile

noun

corpus vi·​le

-ˈvī(ˌ)lē

plural corpora vilia

-ˈvilēə

: something felt to be of so little value that it may be experimented with or upon without concern for loss or damage

literature may come to be used as a corpus vile for acute dons to sharpen their wits upon

—Times Literary Supplement

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, worthless body

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