Excessive fatness or obesity; the state of being overweight with a large, rounded body.
From Latin corpulentia, derived from corpulentus (fleshy, fat) and corpus (body). The word has meant excessive body fat since entering English in the 14th century.
In medieval and Renaissance art, corpulence was actually a sign of wealth and health—only rich people could afford to be fat—so painters made wealthy nobles look perfectly rotund!
Historically, female body size has been subject to moral judgment far more than male. 'Corpulence' in medical and social discourse was gendered feminine through 19th-20th century literature and medicine, where women's weight indexed morality and desirability.
Use when discussing body size clinically or neutrally; avoid coupling with moral judgment. Recognize body diversity exists across all genders.
["body size","adiposity (medical context)","weight"]
Women physicians and activists have reclaimed body autonomy discourse; their work in rejecting gendered body standards deserves recognition.
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