Semicorporeal

Semicorporeal, from semi- meaning half and corporeal meaning of the body, is a term used to describe beings or entities that are neither fully physical nor fully immaterial. In speculative fiction and related discourse, semicorporeal describes a state or form that combines tangible, corporeal elements with intangible, energetic, or ethereal components. The term is not a formal scientific category; it is a descriptive label used by authors, gamers, and theorists to discuss ontological hybridity.

In fantasy literature, role-playing games, and contemporary online fiction, semicorporeal entities may retain a partial body, manifest as a visible outer shell with an inner non-physical substance, or exist as a blend of matter and energy that allows limited interaction with the physical world. They may be visible to some senses but not fully perceivable, or able to affect matter only in restricted ways. Manifestations can be temporary or reliant on conditions such as magic, possession, or resonance with a host.

Semicorporeal is distinct from incorporeal beings, which lack physical substance entirely, and from fully corporeal beings; it occupies a middle ground between them. In academic discussions, the term is used descriptively to explore concepts of materiality and form, rather than as a scientifically defined category. Related terms include semi-material, demi- or partially material entities.