The spelling of the word "bodily" is unique because it contains a silent "y" at the end. This silent "y" is represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /i/, which indicates a short "i" sound. The word is pronounced /ˈbɑdəli/ in American English and /ˈbɒdɪli/ in British English, with the emphasis on the first syllable. "Bodily" is an adjective that means relating to or concerning the body or physical well-being.
Bodily is an adjective that refers to something related to the physical body, characteristic of the body, or pertaining to the physical aspects of a person or animal. It describes actions, functions, sensations, or conditions that are related to the body.
In the context of actions, bodily refers to movements or activities that are directly performed by the body, without the involvement of tools or external devices. For instance, bodily exercises include activities such as running, jumping, or stretching that engage primarily with the physical capabilities of the body.
When related to functions, bodily usually refers to the natural or physiological processes that occur within the body. These can include bodily functions such as digestion, breathing, or sleep, which are essential for the sustenance and maintenance of the physical body.
Sensations or conditions described as bodily are those that are directly felt or experienced within the body. Examples include bodily pain, discomfort, or pleasure which manifest as physical sensations.
In summary, bodily is used to describe actions performed by the body, functions occurring within the body, or sensations and conditions experienced within the physical self. It highlights the connection and importance of the physical body in different aspects of human and animal life.
Containing a body; having a material form.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bodily" is derived from the Old English word "bodig" meaning "body" or "trunk of the human body". It was also influenced by the Middle English word "bodilich", which means "corporeal" or "physical". Over time, the word evolved into "bodily" and came to refer to things relating to the body or physical presence.