Meaning & Definition of word "Cannibalism"
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Cannibalism
/ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl.ɪ.zəm/
noun:
- 1. the practice of eating the flesh of one's own species.
- Example: Cannibalism has been documented in various cultures throughout history.
- 2. the act of one organism consuming another of the same species, often used in ecological and biological contexts.
- Example: In some animal populations, cannibalism occurs as a survival strategy during times of food scarcity.
- 3. a metaphorical use of the term to describe the exploitation or consumption of one's own group or kind.
- Example: The intense competition among the executives led to a severe case of corporate cannibalism.
Etymology
From the Spanish 'canibal', based on the Carib word 'caniba', which referred to the people of the Caribbean.
Common Phrases and Expressions
eat your own:
To harm or sacrifice one's own group for personal gain.
cannibalistic behavior:
Acts or practices that resemble cannibalism, often in a metaphorical sense.
Related Words
cannibal:
A person who eats human flesh.
anthropophagy:
The act of eating human flesh, synonymous with cannibalism.
Slang Meanings of cannibalism
Meaning: Going after one's own kind in business.
Example Sentence: That new strategy feels like corporate cannibalism.
Meaning: Self-destructive or harmful behavior.
Example Sentence: His actions are a form of social cannibalism, hurting his own friends for a quick win.