huge body; large build
Describes a physically massive body or frame, often of people, animals, or large objects. Common in news and descriptive writing.
その力士は巨体を揺らしながら土俵に上がった。
The sumo wrestler stepped onto the ring, his huge body swaying.
He walked slowly over, swaying his huge frame.
クジラの巨体が海面に浮かび上がった。
The whale's enormous body surfaced.
その選手は巨体を生かしたパワープレーで相手を圧倒した。
The player overwhelmed his opponent with power plays that made full use of his huge frame.
Surprisingly for his huge build, he moved nimbly.
大柄 describes a large build or frame in a fairly neutral way, whereas 巨体 emphasizes dramatic, almost imposing massiveness.
巨漢 refers to a huge man as a whole person, while 巨体 refers narrowly to the physical body/frame itself, which can belong to a person or animal.
小柄 describes a small, slight build, the opposite of the massive frame implied by 巨体.
巨体 refers to the huge body or physique itself, while 巨漢 refers to the man who has that body.
Compound of 巨 (huge) and 体 (body). The reading is on'yomi. The word is straightforward and modern, with no obscure historical derivation.