Corps (or
Korps; "
das ~" (
n), (
sg.), (
pl.)) are the oldest still-existing kind of
Studentenverbindung, Germany's traditional
university corporations; their roots date back to the 15th century. The oldest corps still existing today was founded in 1789. Its members are referred to as
corps students (
Corpsstudenten). The corps belong to the tradition of student fraternities which wear
couleur and practice
academic fencing.